Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020 — Victoria Blom

The COVID-19 pandemic has become a public health emergency of international concern, which may have affected lifestyle habits and mental health. A study investigated perceived changes in lifestyle habits in response to the pandemic and associations between perceived lifestyle changes and mental health in Swedish working adults. Results showed that among 5599 individuals, the majority reported no change in physical activity, diet, alcohol, and smoking 97%. Women, individuals <60 years, those with a university degree, white-collar workers, and those with unhealthy lifestyle habits at baseline had higher odds of changing lifestyle habits compared to their counterparts. Mental ill-health, including health anxiety, depression, and employment and economic concerns, were associated with negative changes in lifestyle habits. The results emphasize the need to support healthy lifestyle habits to strengthen resilience in vulnerable groups of individuals to prevent health inequalities in society.

Blom V, Lönn A, Ekblom B, Kallings LV, Väisänen D, Hemmingsson E, Andersson G, Wallin P, Stenling A, Ekblom Ö, Lindwall M, Salier Eriksson J, Holmlund T, Ekblom-Bak E. Lifestyle Habits and Mental Health in Light of the Two COVID-19 Pandemic Waves in Sweden, 2020. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Mar 23;18(6):3313. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18063313. PMID: 33806951; PMCID: PMC8005136.