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. 2020 Sep 30;12(10):3013.
doi: 10.3390/nu12103013.

The Nutritional and Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Monika Grabia  1 , Renata Markiewicz-Żukowska  1 , Anna Puścion-Jakubik  1 , Joanna Bielecka  1 , Patryk Nowakowski  1 , Krystyna Gromkowska-Kępka  1 , Konrad Mielcarek  1 , Katarzyna Socha  1
Affiliations

The Nutritional and Health Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Patients with Diabetes Mellitus

Monika Grabia et al. Nutrients. .

Abstract

COVID-19 related restrictions aimed at curbing the spread of the coronavirus result in changes in daily routines and physical activity which can have a negative effect on eating and health habits. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on patients with diabetes and their nutrition and health behaviours. A survey conducted in July 2020 included 124 individuals with type 1 (n = 90) and 2 (n = 34) diabetes mellitus from Poland. To assess nutritional and health behaviours, an online questionnaire covering basic information, anthropometric data, and details regarding physical activity, eating, and hygiene habits was used. Almost 40% of all respondents with type 1 and 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) stated that their disease self-management had significantly improved. Over 60% of all participants declared that they had started eating more nutritious and regular meals during the COVID-19 pandemic. Enhanced hygiene, in particular, during the period, a statistically significant increase in hand sanitiser use was reported by respondents (18% vs. 82%, p < 0.001). The study demonstrated that the pandemic had a significant impact on the behaviour of patients with DM. Improved disease self-management and making healthy, informed food and hygiene choices were observed.

Keywords: COVID-19; diabetes mellitus; eating behaviours; food choices; hygiene; lifestyle habits; nutrition; sleep; stress; survey.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Differences between the type of physical activity “before” and “during” the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences between “before” and “during” the COVID-19 pandemic were evaluated by the Chi-square test (* p < 0.05 and ** p < 0.01).
Figure 2
Figure 2
The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on food and drink intake according to respondents’ responses.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Frequency of hand washing/antibacterial agent use before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Differences between “before” and “during” the COVID-19 period were evaluated by the Chi-square test (* p < 0.001).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Stress level distribution before, at the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, and at the time of questionnaire completion.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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