International journal of environmental research and public health
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Dec 2020
Alcohol Consumption during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey of US Adults.
Emerging but limited evidence suggests that alcohol consumption has increased during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study assessed: (1) whether drinking behaviors changed during the pandemic; and, (2) how those changes were impacted by COVID-19-related stress. We conducted a cross-sectional online survey with a convenience sample of U. ⋯ Additionally, 60% reported increased drinking but 13% reported decreased drinking, compared to pre-COVID-19. Reasons for increased drinking included increased stress (45.7%), increased alcohol availability (34.4%), and boredom (30.1%). Participants who reported being stressed by the pandemic consumed more drinks over a greater number of days, which raises concerns from both an individual and public health perspective.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Dec 2020
Satellite Imaging-Based Residential Greenness and Accelerometry Measured Physical Activity at Midlife-Population-Based Northern Finland Birth Cohort 1966 Study.
Recently, the importance of light physical activity (LPA) for health has been emphasized, and residential greenness has been positively linked to the level of LPA and a variety of positive health outcomes. However, people spend less time in green environments because of urbanization and modern sedentary leisure activities. ⋯ Residential greenness was positively associated with LPA in both genders, but the association remained significant after adjustments only in men. Residential greenness may provide a supportive environment for promoting LPA.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Dec 2020
Mental Health Status of University Healthcare Workers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Post-Movement Lockdown Assessment.
This study investigated the prevalence and severity of depression, anxiety, and stress and determined the association between various factors, social support, and depression, anxiety, and stress among university healthcare workers in Malaysia after the government lifted the movement control order (MCO) put in place to curb the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. This online, cross-sectional survey recruited 399 participants from two university hospitals, and they were administered a self-reported questionnaire on demographic, personal, and clinical characteristics, as well as COVID-19-related stressors and coping. In addition, they completed the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS) to measure perceived social support, as well as the 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21) to assess depression, anxiety, and stress. ⋯ Being single or divorced, fear of frequent exposure to COVID-19 patients, agreeing that the area of living had a high prevalence of COVID-19 cases, uncertainty regarding the prevalence of COVID-19 cases in the area of living, and a history of pre-existing psychiatric illnesses were associated with higher odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. Conversely, having more than three children and greater perceived friend support were associated with lower odds of depression, anxiety, and stress. The prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress remained elevated even after the MCO was lifted.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Dec 2020
A 3-year Longitudinal Study of Pocket Money, Eating Behavior, Weight Status: The Childhood Obesity Study in China Mega-Cities.
The associations between children's pocket money and their eating behaviors and weight status have not been examined using longitudinal data in China. Examined child and parental factors associated with children's pocket money, and longitudinal effects of pocket money on children's eating behaviors and weight status. Data were collected in 2015, 2016, and 2017 from 3261 school-age children and their parents in mega-cities across China (Beijing, Shanghai, Nanjing, Xi'an, Chengdu). ⋯ Some nutrition-related parenting behaviors and attitude were also associated with children's pocket money. Compared with children receiving no weekly pocket money, those having 1-10 or 10-30 or >30-yuan weekly pocket money were 12.0-136% more likely to consume unhealthy foods and were 66-132% more likely to be overweight or obese. Some child and parental factors were associated with children's pocket money, which increased risks of having unhealthy eating behaviors and being overweight and obese.
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Int J Environ Res Public Health · Dec 2020
Multicenter StudyThe Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Mental Health and Psychological Well-Being of Young People Living in Austria and Turkey: A Multicenter Study.
Little is known about the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and psychological well-being of young people. The aim of this study is to investigate the psychological well-being and changes in the mental-health state of young people living in Austria and Turkey. By using an anonymous online survey, we recruited 1240 people aged 15-25 years from these two countries. ⋯ Participants with financial problems (OR = 1.68) and prior mental health problems (i.e., already in treatment by the time of COVID-19, OR = 5.83) reported a higher probability for a worsening in their mental health status. Our results show that the COVID-19 pandemic impaired the psychological well-being and mental health of young people. Especially people in Turkey were most affected, probably due to the stringent policies to fight COVID-19.