Long-term effects of COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity and eating behaviour of the Italian population: a longitudinal study

Background: Restrictive measures due to the Covid-19 pandemic strongly impacted lifestyle and daily behaviour. The purpose of this longitudinal retrospective study was to investigate short-term and long-term effects of Covid-19 pandemic on physical activity and eating habits of the Italian population investigating three time periods: pre-, during- and post-lockdown. Methods: A sample of 2773 adults recruited through social media provided data by an online survey administered from July to October 2023. Participants completed the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), the Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and provided information about eating habits, socio-demographic and anthropometric characteristics. Results: There was a significant increase (p < 0.001) in mean BMI from pre-pandemic period (24.53 ± 5.34 Kg/m2) to post-pandemic period (25.22 ± 6.0 Kg/m2). Physical Activity significantly decreased during the pandemic period compared to the pre-pandemic period (χ² = 271.97; p < 0.001; φ = 0.31) with an increase in inactive subjects from 25.7% to 52.8%. In the post pandemic period, there was an increase in the level of Physical Activity compared to the pandemic period (χ² = 413.61; p < 0.001; φ = 0.39) with a reduction of inactive subjects from 52.8% to 25.6%. Adherence to Mediterranean Diet score significantly (p < 0.001) increase from pre-pandemic (7.18 ± 1.58) to during-pandemic (7.29 ± 1.69) and post-pandemic (7.75 ± 1.63) periods with significant differences emerged in the consumption of single MEDAS items during the pandemic period by different BMI classes. Consumption of seasonal fruit and vegetables, water intake, the preparation/consumption of traditional or local dishes and the time dedicated for dinner and lunch significant increase (p < 0.001) during pandemic. Conclusions: The Covid-19 pandemic changed people's lifestyles, but in different ways for Physical Activity and diet. During the pandemic there was a negative effect for PA that decreased while the time spent sitting increased. This seems to be a temporary effect as, after the end of the phase of mandatory restrictions, it returns to the original level. The lockdown period improved the quality of the Italian population's eating habits, with an increase in adherence to the Mediterranean diet even after the end of the pandemic showing a rediscovery of traditional dishes, increase in consumption of seasonal products, greater preference for local products and more time spent preparing meals.