Health behaviour change during the UK COVID-19 lockdown: Findings from the first wave of the C-19 health behaviour and well-being daily tracker study

Objectives To provide baseline cohort descriptives and assess change in health behaviours since the UK COVID-19 lockdown. Design A prospective cohort (N = 1,044) of people recruited online, purposively targeting vulnerable populations. Methods After a baseline survey (April 2020), participants completed 3 months of daily ecological momentary assessments (EMA). Dietary, physical activity, alcohol, smoking, vaping and substance use behaviours collected retrospectively for the pre-COVID-19 period were compared with daily EMA surveys over the first 30 days during early lockdown. Predictors of behaviour change were assessed using multivariable regression models. Results 30% of the cohort had a COVID-19 at risk health condition, 37% were classed as deprived and 6% self-reported a mental health condition. Relative to pre-pandemic levels, participants ate almost one portion of fruit and vegetables less per day (vegetables mean difference -0.33, 95% CI -0.40, -0.25; fruit -0.57, 95% CI -0.64, -0.50), but showed no change in high sugar portions per day (-0.03, 95% CI -0.12, 0.06). Participants spent half a day less per week doing >= 30 min of moderate to vigorous physical activity (-0.57, 95% CI -0.73, -0.40) but slightly increased days of strength training (0.21, 95% CI 0.09, 0.34), increased alcohol intake (AUDIT-C score change 0.25, 95% CI 0.13, 0.37), though did not change smoking, vaping or substance use behaviour. Worsening health behaviour change was associated with being younger, female and higher body mass index. Conclusions The cohort reported worsening health behaviours during early lockdown. Longer term changes will be investigated using further waves of data collection.

Automated summary

This study aimed to provide baseline cohort descriptives and assess changes in health behaviours since the UK COVID-19 lockdown. The research found that during the early lockdown period, participants generally exhibited worsening trends in dietary habits and physical activity, but did not change smoking, vaping, or substance use behaviors.