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05-Jun-2022
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Arch Hellen Med, 39(3), May-June 2023, 374-380 ORIGINAL PAPER The association between the COVID-19 pandemic and the physical activity status of Greeks: Α. Vavitis, D. Panagiotakos |
OBJECTIVE Το examine the changes in physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic in a sample of Greek population.
METHOD A cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2021, through an anonymous, web-based questionnaire administered to 336 individuals, women and men, aged 17–66 years.
RESULTS The pandemic has significantly changed the physical activity status of the participants; sedentary lifestyle has increased by about 29%, while adequate, at least, physical activity has decreased about 50% (p<0.001), in both men and women, since before the pandemic. The vast majority of those who reported low physical activity before the pandemic became sedentary during this period. The prevalence of overweight and obesity increased by about 5% in women and 6% in men, which was strongly associated with physical inactivity levels reported (p<0.001).
CONCLUSIONS The COVID-19 pandemic has led to the adoption of a less vigorous lifestyle, a situation which can be attributed to the lockdown measures that were taken. Concerns thus emerge about the physical activity status of people, indicating the need for alternative measures to be taken in order to avoid a similar situation in the future.
Key words: COVID-19, Obesity, Physical activity.
