Noncommunicable diseases and changes in lifestyles during the COVID-19 pandemic in Brazil

Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2021 May 3:24:e210009. doi: 10.1590/1980-549720210009. eCollection 2021.
[Article in Portuguese, English]

Abstract

Objective: To compare lifestyle changes during the COVID-19 pandemic according to the presence or absence of noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) in Brazilian adults.

Methods: Cross-sectional study, using data from the ConVid survey, between April and May 2020. The following variables were evaluated: lifestyle and presence of one or more NCDs (diabetes, hypertension, respiratory disease, heart disease, and cancer). Sociodemographic characteristics were used as adjustment. Relative frequencies and confidence intervals (CI) of 95% of the explanatory variables were calculated before and during the pandemic. For the comparison of groups, with or without NCDs, crude and adjusted (PRadj) prevalence ratios were estimated by Poisson regression.

Results: There was a reduction in physical activity (60% in those without NCDs and 58% in those with NCDs) and in vegetable consumption (10.8% in those without NCDs and 12.7% in those with NCDs). On the other hand, there was an increase in the time spent watching television and on screens of computer/tablet (302% and 43.5% in those without NCDs and 196.5% and 30.6% with NCDs, respectively); consumption of frozen meals (43.6% in those without NCDs and 53.7% with NCDs), snacks (42.3% without NCDs and 31.2% with NCDs), and chocolate (14.8% without NCDs). During the pandemic, patients with NCDs were less active (PRadj = 0.77; 95%CI 0.65 - 0.92), had greater habit of watching TV (PRadj = 1.16; 95%CI 1.08 - 1.26), and consumed less vegetables (PRadj = 0.88; 95%CI 0.81 - 0.96).

Conclusion: It was evident that adults with NCDs had their lifestyles more altered during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objetivo: Comparar as mudanças de estilos de vida durante a pandemia COVID-19, segundo a presença ou não de doenças crônicas não transmissíveis (DCNT) em adultos brasileiros.

Métodos: Estudo transversal, com dados da pesquisa ConVid - Pesquisa de Comportamentos, realizada entre abril e maio de 2020. Avaliaram-se as variáveis estilo de vida e presença de uma ou mais DCNT (diabetes, hipertensão, doença respiratória, doença do coração e câncer). As características sociodemográficas foram usadas como ajuste. Calcularam-se as frequências relativas e os intervalos de confiança (IC) de 95% das variáveis antes da e durante a pandemia. Para a comparação de grupos, sem ou com DCNT, estimaram-se as prevalências e razões de prevalência bruta e ajustada (RPa) utilizando a regressão de Poisson.

Resultados: Houve redução da prática de atividade física (60% nos sem DCNT e 58% nos com DCNT) e do consumo de hortaliças (10,8% nos sem DCNT e 12,7% nos com DCNT). Verificou-se aumento no tempo de uso de televisão e computador/tablet (302 e 43,5% nos sem DCNT e 196,5 e 30,6% nos com DCNT, respectivamente); consumo de congelados (43,6% nos sem DCNT e 53,7% com DCNT), salgadinhos (42,3% sem DCNT e 31,2% com DCNT) e chocolate (14,8% sem DCNT). Durante a pandemia, portadores de DCNT apresentaram menor prática de atividade física suficiente (RPa = 0,77; IC95% 0,65 - 0,92), maior hábito de assistir à televisão (RPa = 1,16; IC95% 1,08 - 1,26) e menor consumo de hortaliças (RPa = 0,88; IC95% 0,81 - 0,96).

Conclusão: Evidenciou-se que adultos com DCNT tiveram seus estilos de vida mais alterados durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Brazil / epidemiology
  • COVID-19*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Humans
  • Life Style
  • Noncommunicable Diseases* / epidemiology
  • Pandemics
  • SARS-CoV-2