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Published VersionCC BY V4.0, Open Access
Journal article
Changes in Dietary Habits and Physical Activity among the Diabetic Patients of Bangladesh during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
PLoS Global Public Health, Vol.3(6), pp.1-14
2023
Abstract
In an effort to avert further Covid-19 transmission, the Bangladesh government took several initiatives which disrupted the routine food intake and exercise of diabetic patients. This study sought to examine the difference in dietary and exercise habits of diabetic patients between their pre-pandemic status and during COVID-19 which may be attributed to the observed poor health outcomes during the study period. This was a cross-sectional study that enrolled 604 diabetic patients using a convenience sampling technique who were attending outpatient clinics of the three selected hospitals in Bangladesh. A validated semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect information regarding eating habit and physical activity of the respondents pre- and during COVID-19 pandemic via direct interview. McNemar-Bowker test was used to assess the changes in dietary and physical activity behaviors. The current study reveals that 93.9% of the respondents were type-2 diabetic patients. During the pandemic, there was a decrease in the consumption of rice, bread, meat, fish, eggs, and dessert, while the consumption of cereals, milk, and potato/starchy vegetables increased. There was also a decrease in the frequency of drinking tea or coffee, while the consumption of soft drinks remained relatively stable. The level and duration of physical activity significantly decreased among the respondents during the pandemic. This study explored the changes in dietary habits and physical activity among the study population which not only disrupt the metabolic control of the diabetic patients but also pose a significant threat to their overall health. Therefore, it is critical to prioritize measures that support diabetic patients to maintain healthy dietary habit and to engage in regular physical activity during unprecedented times such as COVID-19 pandemic.
Details
- Title
- Changes in Dietary Habits and Physical Activity among the Diabetic Patients of Bangladesh during COVID-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
- Authors
- Ishrat Jahan (Author) - North South UniversityA B M Nahid Hasan - North South UniversityAzaz Bin Sharif (Corresponding Author) - North South UniversitySharmin Akter - Bangladesh Institute of Health Science General Hospital (Bangladesh)
- Publication details
- PLoS Global Public Health, Vol.3(6), pp.1-14
- Publisher
- Public Library of Science
- Date published
- 2023
- DOI
- 10.1371/journal.pgph.0002096
- ISSN
- 2767-3375
- Copyright note
- © 2023 Jahan et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.
- Data Availability
- The dataset is attached as a supporting document.
- Organisation Unit
- Thompson Institute
- Language
- English
- Record Identifier
- 991099946202621
- Output Type
- Journal article
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