Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity, and Nutritional Challenges Among Mexican Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity, and Nutritional Challenges Among Mexican Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study
The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly devastating in developing countries such as Mexico, where the nation reported some of the highest COVID-19 cases and a high prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the food consumption among Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 1,082 Mexican adults recruited through online invitations containing a link to complete a survey. A 48-item questionnaire was designed to assess the frequency of food consumption and sociodemographic characteristics in a semi-quantitative manner. A retrospective instrument was used to evaluate physical activity (days/week and duration).
The COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly harsh impact on developing countries like Mexico, which reported some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and a significant prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to examine the eating habits of Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, involving 1,082 Mexican adults who were recruited via online invitations that included a link to complete a questionnaire. A 48-item survey was created to evaluate the frequency of food consumption and sociodemographic factors semi-quantitatively. Physical activity was assessed using a retrospective tool to measure the frequency and duration of exercise per week.
The main discovery identified two dietary patterns: industrialized and healthy. The industrialized dietary pattern was more common and included the consumption of sugary dairy products, sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages, sweets, fried foods, and both red and processed meats. Men consumed significantly more ultra-processed foods (22.5%) compared to women (15.45%) based on a 2000 kcal diet. In addition, participants did not meet the recommended intake levels for fruits, vegetables, legumes, and natural dairy products. Intake of sugary drinks was three times higher than recommended for both genders. Regarding physical activity, only 29.7% of participants reported engaging in adequate physical activity.
The study also highlighted insufficient consumption of nuts and an excessive intake of red and processed meats. It underscored the necessity for intervention and educational initiatives to improve dietary choices, particularly among younger populations.
Inclusion Criteria: Additional to the age, people living in Mexico during the COVID pandemics.
Exclusion Criteria: People who did not live in Mexico during the COVID pandemics
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