Skip to content
2000
Volume 7, Issue 1
  • ISSN: 2666-7967
  • E-ISSN: 2666-7975

Abstract

Introduction/Objective

Although the COVID-19 pandemic primarily affected human health and medicine, it has also had positive and negative impacts on various aspects of life. Hence, this review aimed to explore the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on lifestyle behaviors.

Methods

The current review was conducted in 2023. PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases were searched using standard keywords. Related articles were included in the study after qualitative review and inclusion and exclusion criteria were applied, and data were extracted.

Results

In the current review, 32 articles were included. Most reviewed studies referred to decreased physical activity (78.12%), unhealthy dietary habits (65.62%), and sleep disturbance (56.25), as the most affected lifestyle behaviors following the COVID-19 situation. Among the age groups, the 18-89-year-old group reported more smoking and alcohol consumption than the other groups, and the 1-21-year-old group reported the least smoking and alcohol consumption. Also, the age groups of 1 to 21 years and 18 to 69 years reported psychological problems, such as depression, anxiety, and stress, compared to other age groups. There has been a relationship between overweight and reduced physical activity, increased consumption of fast food and sweets, and also between decreased income and increased mental problems, increased consumption of cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, and decreased consumption of fruits and vegetables.

Conclusion

The outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on people's lifestyles, which can negatively affect overall health and well-being. The combination of reduced physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, and poor sleep has become a common consequence of the pandemic. By recognizing the potential negative impacts of reduced physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, and poor sleep, individuals can take steps to mitigate these effects.

© 2026 Bentham Science Publishers
Loading

Article metrics loading...

/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975307093240909080735
2024-09-18
2026-01-03

  • From This Site

    /content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975307093240909080735
    dcterms_title,dcterms_subject,pub_keyword
    -contentType:Contributor -contentType:Concept -contentType:Institution
    10
    5
Loading full text...

Full text loading...

References

  1. KhanM. AdilS.F. AlkhathlanH.Z. TahirM.N. SaifS. KhanM. COVID-19: A global challenge with old history, epidemiology and progress so far.Molecules20202613910.3390/molecules26010039
     [Google Scholar]
  2. MehraeenE OliaeiS SeyedAlinaghiS COVID-19 in pediatrics: A systematic review of current knowledge and practice.Infect. Disord. Drug Targets2022225e29092119690810.2174/187152652166621092912170534587889
     [Google Scholar]
  3. MehraeenE. DadrasO. AfsahiA.M. Vaccines for COVID-19: A systematic review of feasibility and effectiveness.Infect. Disord. Drug Targets2022222e23092119675810.2174/187152652166621092314483734554905
     [Google Scholar]
  4. SohrabiC. AlsafiZ. O’NeillN. World Health Organization declares global emergency: A review of the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19).Int. J. Surg.202076717610.1016/j.ijsu.2020.02.03432112977
     [Google Scholar]
  5. ThuT.P.B. NgocP.N.H. HaiN.M. TuanL.A. Effect of the social distancing measures on the spread of COVID-19 in 10 highly infected countries.Sci. Total Environ.202074214043010.1016/j.scitotenv.2020.14043032623158
     [Google Scholar]
  6. ChanK. XueH. CarlsonJ. GrayJ.M. BaileyJ. VinesR. Impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle and mental wellbeing in a drought-affected rural Australian population.Rural Remote Health2022224723110.22605/RRH723136242783
     [Google Scholar]
  7. FarelloG. D’AndreaM. QuartaA. Children and adolescents dietary habits and lifestyle changes during COVID-19 lockdown in Italy.Nutrients20221410213510.3390/nu1410213535631277
     [Google Scholar]
  8. GowM.L. RossiterC. RobertsL. COVID-19, lifestyle behaviors and mental health: A mixed methods study of women 6 months following a hypertensive pregnancy.Front. Public Health202210100037110.3389/fpubh.2022.100037136330103
     [Google Scholar]
  9. Hadar-ShovalD. Alon-TiroshM. AsrafK. Tannous-HaddadL. TzischinskyO. Lifestyle changes, emotional eating, gender, and stress during COVID-19 lockdown.Nutrients20221418386810.3390/nu1418386836145243
     [Google Scholar]
  10. SalmaniN. KahrizsangiM.B. KafiF. Study of lifestyle during COVID-19 epidemic in nursing students of yazd shahid sadoughi university of medical sciences in 2020.J Shahid Sadoughi Uni Med Sci2022302
     [Google Scholar]
  11. HanS.Y. JangH.Y. KoY. COVID-19-related anxiety and lifestyle changes.Front. Public Health20221088613710.3389/fpubh.2022.88613736388278
     [Google Scholar]
  12. MusaS. DergaaI. BachillerV. SaadH. Global implications of COVID-19 pandemic on adults’ lifestyle behavior: The invisible pandemic of noncommunicable disease.Int. J. Prev. Med.20231411510.4103/ijpvm.ijpvm_157_2137033280
     [Google Scholar]
  13. LeeJ. KoY.H. ChiS. LeeM.S. YoonH.K. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on Korean adolescents’ mental health and lifestyle factors.J. Adolesc. Health202271327027610.1016/j.jadohealth.2022.05.02035715347
     [Google Scholar]
  14. RobbinsL.B. LingJ. Lifestyle behaviors and parents’ mental well-being among low-income families during COVID-19 pandemic.Nurs. Res.202271425726510.1097/NNR.000000000000057635026803
     [Google Scholar]
  15. TosatoM. CiciarelloF. ZazzaraM.B. Lifestyle changes and psychological well-being in older adults during COVID-19 pandemic.Clin. Geriatr. Med.202238344945910.1016/j.cger.2022.05.00235868665
     [Google Scholar]
  16. ZhouS.J. ZhangL.G. WangL.L. Prevalence and socio-demographic correlates of psychological health problems in Chinese adolescents during the outbreak of COVID-19.Eur. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry202029674975810.1007/s00787‑020‑01541‑432363492
     [Google Scholar]
  17. PietrobelliA. PecoraroL. FerruzziA. Effects of COVID‐19 lockdown on lifestyle behaviors in children with obesity living in Verona, Italy: A longitudinal study.Obesity (Silver Spring)20202881382138510.1002/oby.2286132352652
     [Google Scholar]
  18. LecuelleF. LeslieW. HugueletS. FrancoP. PutoisB. Did the COVID-19 lockdown really have no impact on young children’s sleep?J. Clin. Sleep Med.20201612212110.5664/jcsm.880632975192
     [Google Scholar]
  19. ZanjariN. AbootalebiM. DelbariA. Abolfathi MomtazY. Impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle: A sample of iranian older adults.J. Appl. Gerontol.202342102100210910.1177/0733464823117867037266995
     [Google Scholar]
  20. BurkartS. ParkerH. WeaverR.G. Impact of the COVID ‐19 pandemic on elementary schoolers’ physical activity, sleep, screen time and diet: A quasi‐experimental interrupted time series study.Pediatr. Obes.2022171e1284610.1111/ijpo.1284634409754
     [Google Scholar]
  21. HonickyM. CardosoS.M. Changes in lifestyle behaviors during the COVID-19 pandemic in children and adolescents with congenital heart disease.Rev. Paul. Pediatr.202341e202202
     [Google Scholar]
  22. YardeniM. ShakedO.Z. PienikR. Impact of COVID-19 on lifestyle habits and emotional state of childhood cancer survivors and their parents.Nutrients20231518393210.3390/nu1518393237764717
     [Google Scholar]
  23. Krupa-KotaraK. WojtasG. GrajekM. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on nutrition, sleep, physical activity, and mood disorders of polish children.Nutrients2023158192810.3390/nu1508192837111147
     [Google Scholar]
  24. LeeS. ZhangA. LiuL. SalvoD. WangL. Changes in physical activity and sedentary time among children with asthma during the COVID-19 pandemic and influencing factors.J. Asthma202360352553310.1080/02770903.2022.207076135531928
     [Google Scholar]
  25. SouzaT.C.M. OliveiraL.A. DanielM.M. Lifestyle and eating habits before and during COVID-19 quarantine in Brazil.Public Health Nutr.2022251657510.1017/S136898002100255X34108067
     [Google Scholar]
  26. PandeyV. MohanR. KumarA. GangadeviP. KurienN. The impact of the COVID-19 outbreak on lifestyle-related behavior among the general population.Cureus2023159e4575610.7759/cureus.4575637872892
     [Google Scholar]
  27. HaidarS. CherfanM. HallitS. RahalM. SafwanJ. Eating habits and lifestyle behaviors during COVID-19 lockdown: The Lebanese experience.PLoS One2023184e028452610.1371/journal.pone.028452637075030
     [Google Scholar]
  28. McGowanM. LimS. O’ReillyS.L. Impact of COVID-19 restriction on weight, physical activity, diet and psychological distress on people with PCOS.Nutrients20231511257910.3390/nu1511257937299542
     [Google Scholar]
  29. KriaučionienėV. GrincaitėM. RaskilienėA. PetkevičienėJ. Changes in nutrition, physical activity, and body weight among lithuanian students during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.Nutrients20231518409110.3390/nu1518409137764874
     [Google Scholar]
  30. NăstăsescuV. MititeluM. StanciuT.I. Food habits and lifestyle of romanians in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic.Nutrients202214350410.3390/nu1403050435276862
     [Google Scholar]
  31. HimmelsteinM.S. BeaverJ.N. GilmanT.L. Anxiety and stress over COVID‐19 pandemic associated with increased eating.Obes. Sci. Pract.20228333835110.1002/osp4.57635664251
     [Google Scholar]
  32. JafriM.R. ZaheerA. FatimaS. SaleemT. SohailA. Mental health status of COVID-19 survivors: A cross sectional study.Virol. J.2022191310.1186/s12985‑021‑01729‑334991632
     [Google Scholar]
  33. ZeitounT. PlanteA. SabistonC.M. DieudéM. DoréI. The association between change in lifestyle behaviors and mental health indicators in immunosuppressed individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic.Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2023203209910.3390/ijerph2003209936767466
     [Google Scholar]
  34. LeisterK.R. HeffernanK. MillerT. BarreiraT. Physical activity and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic among individuals with amputation.PLoS One2023185e028376210.1371/journal.pone.028376237228051
     [Google Scholar]
  35. AbdelkawyK. ElbarbryF. El-masryS.M. ZakariaA.Y. Rodríguez-PérezC. El-khodaryN.M. Changes in dietary habits during COVID-19 lockdown in Egypt: the Egyptian COVID iet study.BMC Public Health202323195610.1186/s12889‑023‑15777‑737231373
     [Google Scholar]
  36. AhmedJ. AlSalehA. AlmarabhehA.J. Lifestyle and dietary patterns during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bahrain: A web-based cross-sectional study.Nutrients20231511254310.3390/nu1511254337299508
     [Google Scholar]
  37. ZomerdijkN. JongenelisM.I. CollinsB. Factors associated with changes in healthy lifestyle behaviors among hematological cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic.Front. Psychol.202314108139710.3389/fpsyg.2023.108139736968693
     [Google Scholar]
  38. YoungD.R. SallisJ.F. BaeckerA. Associations of physical inactivity and COVID-19 outcomes among subgroups.Am. J. Prev. Med.202364449250210.1016/j.amepre.2022.10.00736528452
     [Google Scholar]
  39. NagarathnaR. SharmaM.N.K. IlavarasuJ. Coping strategy, life style and health status during phase 3 of Indian national lockdown for COVID-19 pandemic—A pan-India survey.Front. Public Health20221081432810.3389/fpubh.2022.81432835664115
     [Google Scholar]
  40. TessierA.J. MoyenA. LawsonC. Lifestyle behavior changes and associated risk factors during the COVID-19 pandemic: Results from the canadian COVID iet online cohort study.JMIR Public Health Surveill.202391e4378610.2196/4378636848226
     [Google Scholar]
  41. BolesławskaI. JagielskiP. Błaszczyk-BębenekE. JagielskaA. PrzysławskiJ. Lifestyle changes during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic as predictors of BMI changes among men and women in Poland.Nutrients20231511242710.3390/nu1511242737299391
     [Google Scholar]
  42. XieY. XuE. Al-AlyZ. Risks of mental health outcomes in people with COVID-19: Cohort study.BMJ2022376e06899310.1136/bmj‑2021‑06899335172971
     [Google Scholar]
  43. Martinez-FerranM. de la Guía-GalipiensoF. Sanchis-GomarF. Pareja-GaleanoH. Metabolic impacts of confinement during the COVID-19 pandemic due to modified diet and physical activity habits.Nutrients2020126154910.3390/nu1206154932466598
     [Google Scholar]
  44. MarconcinP. WerneckA.O. PeraltaM. The association between physical activity and mental health during the first year of the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review.BMC Public Health202222120910.1186/s12889‑022‑12590‑635101022
     [Google Scholar]
  45. MehraeenE. KarimiA. MirghaderiP. The impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the levels of physical activity: A systematic review.Infect. Disord. Drug Targets2023234e20012321297510.2174/187152652366623012014311836683317
     [Google Scholar]
  46. MadzoreraI. IsmailA. HemlerE.C. Impact of COVID-19 on nutrition, food security and dietary diversity and quality in Burkina Faso, Ethiopia and Nigeria.Am. J. Trop. Med. Hyg.2021105229530910.4269/ajtmh.20‑161734161300
     [Google Scholar]
  47. RenteríaI. García-SuárezP.C. Moncada-JiménezJ. Unhealthy dieting during the COVID-19 pandemic: An opinion regarding the harmful effects on brain health.Front. Nutr.2022987611210.3389/fnut.2022.87611235571935
     [Google Scholar]
  48. BennettG. YoungE. ButlerI. CoeS. The impact of lockdown during the COVID-19 outbreak on dietary habits in various population groups: A scoping review.Front. Nutr.2021862643210.3389/fnut.2021.62643233748175
     [Google Scholar]
  49. Gaitán-RossiP. Vilar-CompteM. TeruelG. Pérez-EscamillaR. Food insecurity measurement and prevalence estimates during the COVID-19 pandemic in a repeated cross-sectional survey in Mexico.Public Health Nutr.202124341242110.1017/S136898002000400033050968
     [Google Scholar]
  50. JonesA.D. NgureF.M. PeltoG. YoungS.L. What are we assessing when we measure food security? A compendium and review of current metrics.Adv. Nutr.20134548150510.3945/an.113.00411924038241
     [Google Scholar]
  51. RayJ.L. SrinathR. MechanickJ.I. The negative impact of routine, dietary pattern, and physical activity on obesity and dysglycemia during the COVID-19 pandemic.Am. J. Lifestyle Med.202317221923010.1177/1559827622108492336883128
     [Google Scholar]
  52. Mahamat-SalehY. FioletT. RebeaudM.E. Diabetes, hypertension, body mass index, smoking and COVID-19-related mortality: A systematic review and meta-analysis of observational studies.BMJ Open20211110e05277710.1136/bmjopen‑2021‑05277734697120
     [Google Scholar]
  53. Kaufman-ShriquiV. NavarroD.A. RazO. BoazM. Dietary changes and anxiety during the coronavirus pandemic: A multinational survey.Eur. J. Clin. Nutr.2022761849210.1038/s41430‑021‑00897‑333742156
     [Google Scholar]
  54. WHO. COVID-19 pandemic triggers 25% increase in prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide.2022Available from: https://www.who.int/news/item/02-03-2022-covid-19-pandemic-triggers-25-increase-in-prevalence-of-anxiety-and-depression-worldwide (accessed on 19-8-2024)
  55. SantomauroD.F. Mantilla HerreraA.M. ShadidJ. Global prevalence and burden of depressive and anxiety disorders in 204 countries and territories in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.Lancet2021398103121700171210.1016/S0140‑6736(21)02143‑734634250
     [Google Scholar]
  56. JohnsonM.C. Saletti-CuestaL. TumasN. Emotions, concerns and reflections regarding the COVID-19 pandemic in Argentina.Cien. Saude Colet.202025Suppl. 12447245610.1590/1413‑81232020256.1.1047202032520288
     [Google Scholar]
  57. SalehinejadM.A. AzarkolahA. GhanavatiE. NitscheM.A. Circadian disturbances, sleep difficulties and the COVID-19 pandemic.Sleep Med.20229124625210.1016/j.sleep.2021.07.01134334305
     [Google Scholar]
  58. ZhangL. LiT. ChenL. Association of sleep quality before and after SARS-CoV-2 infection with clinical outcomes in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 in China.EXCLI J.20212089490610.17179/excli2021‑345134121976
     [Google Scholar]
  59. KhanM.A. Al-JahdaliH. The consequences of sleep deprivation on cognitive performance.Neurosciences2023282919910.17712/nsj.2023.2.2022010837045455
     [Google Scholar]
  60. OrgilésM. MoralesA. DelvecchioE. MazzeschiC. EspadaJ.P. Immediate psychological effects of the COVID-19 quarantine in youth from Italy and Spain.Front. Psychol.20201157903810.3389/fpsyg.2020.57903833240167
     [Google Scholar]
  61. PietromonacoP.R. OverallN.C. Applying relationship science to evaluate how the COVID-19 pandemic may impact couples’ relationships.American Psychologist202176343810.1037/amp0000714
     [Google Scholar]
  62. ArslanG. YıldırımM. TanhanA. BuluşM. AllenK.A. Coronavirus stress, optimism-pessimism, psychological inflexibility, and psychological health: Psychometric properties of the Coronavirus Stress Measure.Int. J. Ment. Health Addict.20211962423243910.1007/s11469‑020‑00337‑632837425
     [Google Scholar]
  63. ZonouzT.S. AlilouM.M. PakR. The investigate the relationship between mental-physical vulnerability and state-trait anxiety in coronavirus pandemics.Res Cognitive Behav Sci2020101334610.22108/cbs.2021.126358.1473
     [Google Scholar]
  64. ChenD. The psychosocial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on changes in smoking behavior: Evidence from a nationwide survey in the UK.Tob. Prev. Cessat.20206October1510.18332/tpc/12697633163705
     [Google Scholar]
  65. YangH. MaJ. How the COVID-19 pandemic impacts tobacco addiction: Changes in smoking behavior and associations with well-being.Addict. Behav.202111910691710.1016/j.addbeh.2021.10691733862579
     [Google Scholar]
  66. Bar-ZeevY. ShaulyM. LeeH. NeumarkY. Changes in smoking behaviour and home-smoking rules during the initial COVID-19 lockdown period in Israel.Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health2021184193110.3390/ijerph1804193133671203
     [Google Scholar]
  67. Al GhadbanY. ZgheibN. RomaniM. Bou AklI. NasrR. Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on smoking behavior and beliefs among the American University of Beirut community.Tob. Prev. Cessat.20228January1810.18332/tpc/14449935118214
     [Google Scholar]
  68. World Health Organization WHOguidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour.World Health Organization2020
     [Google Scholar]
  69. GasibatQ. KamaldenT.T.F. Physical activity and COVID-19: Stay physically active during self-quarantine.J Datta Meghe Inst Med Sci Uni20221741034103810.4103/jdmimsu.jdmimsu_20_21
     [Google Scholar]
/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975307093240909080735
Loading
A Review of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Lifestyle Behaviors
Coronaviruses 7, E26667975307093 (2026); https://doi.org/10.2174/0126667975307093240909080735
/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975307093240909080735
/content/journals/covid/10.2174/0126667975307093240909080735
Loading

Data & Media loading...


  • Article Type:     Review Article
Keyword(s): COVID-19; influenza; lifestyle behaviors; mental health; quarantine; SARS-CoV-2

Most Cited Most Cited RSS feed

This is a required field
Please enter a valid email address
Approval was a Success
Invalid data
An Error Occurred
Approval was partially successful, following selected items could not be processed due to error
Please enter a valid_number test