The COVID-19 pandemic seriously impacted people's lifestyles, leading to changes in physical activity, sleep and mental health. This study aimed to assess the recovery of these indicators in Chinese university students post-COVID-19 pandemic, and explore the association between lifestyle changes and psychological problems.

A two-wave longitudinal study was conducted with 2,748 college students in Hebei, China. Self-report questionnaires measured physical activity, sleep and psychological variables (depression symptoms, anxiety symptoms, and perceived stress) in 2022 and 2024. McNemar chi-square test compared differences between the two waves. Additionally, univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to examine the independent and joint associations between changes in lifestyle behaviors and psychological problems across this period.

Proportion of physical inactivity decreased from 22.5% to 16.2%, and poor sleep quality reduced from 18.3% to 16.2% after the pandemic (P < 0.05). Depression symptoms and anxiety symptoms also improved (P < 0.05), while perceived stress remained high (64.5%). Compared to consistently inactive students, those becoming physically active (depression OR = 0.40, anxiety OR = 0.34, stress 0.56) and those persistently active (depression OR = 0.43, anxiety OR = 0.38, stress 0.47) had reduced psychological symptoms. However, after adjusting for confounders, the association between improved physical activity and mental health problems was insignificant (P > 0.05). Improved sleep (depression OR = 0.42, anxiety OR = 0.24, stress 0.42) and consistently good sleep (depression OR = 0.20, anxiety OR = 0.20, stress 0.37) also demonstrated a protective effect after fully adjusting for demographics and socioeconomic status.

This study found that high perceived stress persisted. Although physical activity improved across this period, its change was not significantly associated with mental health after adjustments. However, improved sleep quality was significantly associated with reductions in depression levels, anxiety levels, and perceived stress. These findings highlight the importance of sleep and physical activity in mental health recovery post-pandemic and the need for targeted interventions.

This study aimed to investigate how education centering around nutrition can influence diet quality and health-related behavior in the Spanish population.

A descriptive cross-sectional study was performed, and the validated NutSo-HH (Nutritional and Social Healthy Habits) questionnaire was administered. The overall sample was 1087 Spanish adults, 48.11% of whom had studied or were studying a degree in health sciences, compared to 51.89% who had no studies or were studying another subject. Differences between groups were assessed using statistical analyses.

The results indicated that people with higher nutrition education exhibited an increased consumption of vegetables (3.64 vs. 3.50), cereals (3.09 vs. 2.70), legumes (2.19 vs. 2.10) and water (3.47 vs. 3.34) (all p < 0.001) and a lower consumption of red meat (1.60 vs. 1.73) (p < 0.001). No statistically significant differences were observed in the consumption of the remaining analyzed food products. People with health literacy reported better self-perceived health (3.94 vs. 3.76) (p < 0.001) and had a lower body mass index (BMI) (23.68 kg/m2 vs. 24.75 kg/m2) (p < 0.001) than those without health literacy. No significant differences were observed in the time spent in sports practice and sedentary lifestyle or in variables related to eating disorders.

This study concluded that although health science education showed some benefits in eating habits and perceptions of well-being, did not significantly influence all aspects of nutritional habits and lifestyles. Further studies with a more holistic approach could provide a more complete picture of the influence of health education on overall well-being.

The purpose of this paper is to assess whether the COVID-19 pandemic affected the health behaviours of men and women differently, and to estimate whether the associations between health behaviours and mental health differed by gender. By employing nationally representative panel data (UKHLS) and a difference-in-differences strategy, we provide evidence that the pandemic adversely affected health behaviours among women more than men in the UK. Compared to men, women were 3.2 percentage points less likely to adopt a healthy lifestyle and reported 0.09 fewer healthy behaviours (corresponding to 7.0 per cent of a standard deviation) during the pandemic. These changes are primarily driven by smaller improvements rather than absolute declines in health behaviours for women compared to men. The changes in health behaviours among women appear to persist over time when lockdown policies were relaxed. Importantly, we find that the pandemic considerably weakened the protective effect of health behaviours on mental health for women but not for men. For women, adopting a healthy lifestyle was strongly correlated with mental health before the pandemic, but this relationship was no longer significant during the pandemic. This loss in significance corresponds to a 0.61-points decline in the GHQ-12 Likert score, equivalent to 10.5 per cent of a standard deviation. However, we observe a partial return of the protective effect of health behaviours on mental health once lockdown measures had eased.

In response to the rising mental health concerns and cognitive decline associated with the human brain's neurogenesis, which continues until the tenth decade of life but declines with age and is suppressed by poor environments, this pilot study investigates how physical environments may influence public health proxy measures of neurogenesis in humans. This pilot study focuses on the residential environment where people spend most of their time and age in place, exploring the dependency of depression, anxiety, and cognitive impairment variations on spatial and lifestyle variables.

A total of 142 healthy adults in England completed a survey consisting of PHQ-8, GAD-7, and CFI questionnaires and other questions developed to capture the variance in spatial and lifestyle factors such as time spent at home, house type layout complexity, spaciousness, physical activity, routine and spatial novelty, and perceived loneliness.

Extensive time spent at home has adverse effects on all measures, while multi-storey houses perform better than single-story houses with positive correlations with physical activity and spatial novelty. Separate regression models on the variance in depression, as the most salient dependent variable and reliably associated with neurogenesis, reveal that getting out of the house explains 20.5% of the variance in depression symptoms. At the scale of the house, multi-storey houses explain 16.5% of the variance. Both percentages are closer to the effect of loneliness, which we found to explain 26.6% of the variance in depression.

The built environment appears to be significantly associated with changes in cognitive function and mental health symptoms associated with neurogenesis. This pilot study shows the equally important effect of physical and social enrichment, offering critically needed insights for neuroarchitecture and brain health research that is interested in public health.

This study addressed two research questions: What factors do doctors in training describe as influencing their choices to apply (or not apply) for specialty training during their Foundation Year 2? Which of these factors are specific to the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the unique experiences of the cohort of doctors who qualified early during the pandemic?

Sequential explanatory mixed methods study: Quantitative survey. Qualitative semistructured interviews. Quantitative data were analysed with logistic regression. Qualitative data were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis.

UK-wide.

Junior doctors who graduated medical school in 2020.

320 participants (22% of those contacted). 68% (n=219) were female, 60% (n=192) under 25 and 35% (n=112) 25-30. 72% (n=230) were white, 18% (n=58) Asian and 3% (n=10) black. Interviews: 20 participants, 10 had applied for specialty training, 10 had not.

A minority of respondents had applied for specialty training to start in 2022 (114, 36%). While burnout varied, with 15% indicating high burnout, this was not associated with the decision to apply. This decision was predicted by having taken time off due to work-related stress. Those who had not taken time off were 2.4 times more likely to have applied for specialty training (OR=2.43, 95% CI 1.20 to 5.34). Interviews found reasons for not applying included wanting to 'step off the treadmill' of training; perceptions of training pathways as inflexible, impacting well-being; and disillusionment with the community and vocation of healthcare, based, in part, on their experiences working through COVID-19.

Participants infrequently cited factors specific to the pandemic had impacted their decision-making but spoke more broadly about challenges associated with increasing pressure on the health service and an eroded sense of vocation and community.

The incidence of mental health problems is increasing in the United Kingdom and may be associated with lower dietary quality. Food expenditure is a marker of food insecurity with potential implications for mental health. This analysis considers data collected as part of the United Kingdom Household Longitudinal Survey (UKHLS), also known as 'Understanding Society' (2009-2021) (N = 388,944) to determine the extent to which food expenditure within and outside the household, is associated with mental health, whilst controlling for demographic factors. Mental health was measured using the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12) for which responses were on a 4-point scale and reverse-scored so that a higher score represented more favourable mental health. Household food expenditure and food expenditure outside the home were the outcomes. Controlling for socioeconomic and demographic factors, fixed-effects models indicated that better mental health was associated with greater household food expenditure and with greater food expenditure outside the home and that this association persisted post-lockdown. Among those on lower incomes better mental health was associated with lower food expenditure. When people who identified as white and non-white were modelled separately, better mental health was associated with lower food expenditure within and beyond the household only in those who identified as white. These findings imply that the mental health of people residing in the UK, particularly those on lower incomes and those who identify as white, may benefit from spending less of the household budget on food. In achieving United Nations General Assembly (2012) Sustainable Development Goals related to poverty, hunger and in promoting mental health, policies are needed to render food more affordable and to reduce other aspects of expenditure that impact upon food budgeting.

To understand severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) transmission risks, perceived risks and the feasibility of risk mitigations from experimental mass cultural events before coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) restrictions were lifted.

Prospective, population-wide observational study.

Four events (two nightclubs, an outdoor music festival and a business conference) open to Liverpool City Region UK residents, requiring a negative lateral flow test (LFT) within the 36 h before the event, but not requiring social distancing or face-coverings.

A total of 12,256 individuals attending one or more events between 28 April and 2 May 2021.

SARS-CoV-2 infections detected using audience self-swabbed (5-7 days post-event) polymerase chain reaction (PCR) tests, with viral genomic analysis of cases, plus linked National Health Service COVID-19 testing data. Audience experiences were gathered via questionnaires, focus groups and social media. Indoor CO2 concentrations were monitored.

A total of 12 PCR-positive cases (likely 4 index, 8 primary or secondary), 10 from the nightclubs. Two further cases had positive LFTs but no PCR. A total of 11,896 (97.1%) participants with scanned tickets were matched to a negative pre-event LFT: 4972 (40.6%) returned a PCR within a week. CO2 concentrations showed areas for improving ventilation at the nightclubs. Population infection rates were low, yet with a concurrent outbreak of >50 linked cases around a local swimming pool without equivalent risk mitigations. Audience anxiety was low and enjoyment high.

We observed minor SARS-CoV-2 transmission and low perceived risks around events when prevalence was low and risk mitigations prominent. Partnership between audiences, event organisers and public health services, supported by information systems with real-time linked data, can improve health security for mass cultural events.

There is growing recognition that the public health measures employed to control the spread of the COVID-19 pandemic had unintended consequences on socioeconomic security and health inequalities, having the greatest impact on the most vulnerable groups. This longitudinal study aims to explore the medium to long-term impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent public health measures on financial security for families living in the deprived and ethnically diverse city of Bradford. We collected data at four time points before and during the pandemic from mothers who participated in one of two prospective birth cohort studies in Bradford. The findings demonstrate that the risk of experiencing financial insecurity rose sharply during the pandemic and has not returned to pre-COVID-19 baseline levels. Several individual characteristics were found to be possible predictors of financial insecurity, including homeowner status, free school meal eligibility and not working. Protective factors against financial insecurity include: living in more affluent areas; greater levels of educational attainment; and families with two or more adults in the household. Notably, families of Pakistani Heritage were found to have the greatest risk of experiencing financial insecurity throughout the pandemic. Furthermore, this study demonstrated that there were strong associations between financial insecurity and maternal health and wellbeing outcomes, with mothers experiencing financial insecurity being more likely to report unsatisfactory general health and clinically important symptoms of depression and anxiety. The findings of this study highlight that the impact of financial insecurity experienced by mothers and their families throughout the pandemic was severe, wide ranging and affected the most vulnerable. In the wake of the pandemic, the emerging cost of living and energy crisis emphasises the urgent need for policy makers to act to support vulnerable families to prevent further widening of existing health and social inequalities.

Identifying youths most at risk to COVID-19-related mental illness is essential for the development of effective targeted interventions.

To compare trajectories of mental health throughout the pandemic in youth with and without prior mental illness and identify those most at risk of COVID-19-related mental illness.

Data were collected from individuals aged 18-26 years (N = 669) from two existing cohorts: IMAGEN, a population-based cohort; and ESTRA/STRATIFY, clinical cohorts of individuals with pre-existing diagnoses of mental disorders. Repeated COVID-19 surveys and standardised mental health assessments were used to compare trajectories of mental health symptoms from before the pandemic through to the second lockdown.

Mental health trajectories differed significantly between cohorts. In the population cohort, depression and eating disorder symptoms increased by 33.9% (95% CI 31.78-36.57) and 15.6% (95% CI 15.39-15.68) during the pandemic, respectively. By contrast, these remained high over time in the clinical cohort. Conversely, trajectories of alcohol misuse were similar in both cohorts, decreasing continuously (a 15.2% decrease) during the pandemic. Pre-pandemic symptom severity predicted the observed mental health trajectories in the population cohort. Surprisingly, being relatively healthy predicted increases in depression and eating disorder symptoms and in body mass index. By contrast, those initially at higher risk for depression or eating disorders reported a lasting decrease.

Healthier young people may be at greater risk of developing depressive or eating disorder symptoms during the COVID-19 pandemic. Targeted mental health interventions considering prior diagnostic risk may be warranted to help young people cope with the challenges of psychosocial stress and reduce the associated healthcare burden.

In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the UK imposed a national lockdown prompting change to daily routines. Among behaviours impacted by the lockdown, diet and physical activity may be particularly important due to their association with mental health and physical health. The aim of this study was to explore people's experiences of how lockdown impacted their physical activity, dietary behaviours and mental health, with a view to informing public health promotion.

This phenomenological qualitative study used semi-structured telephone interviews. Interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. Thematic analysis was conducted, guided by the Framework Approach.

Forty participants (28 female) completed an interview (mean duration: 36 min) between May and July 2020. The overarching themes identified were (i) Disruption (loss of routines, social interaction and cues to physical activity) and (ii) Adaptation (structuring the day, accessing the outdoor environment, finding new ways for social support). The disruption to daily routines altered people's cues for physical activity and eating; some participants spoke of comfort eating and increased alcohol intake in the early days of lockdown, and how they consciously tried to change these when restrictions lasted longer than first anticipated. Others spoke of adapting to the restrictions using food preparation and meals to provide both routine and social time for families. Disruptions from the closure of workplaces resulted in flexible working times for some, allowing for physical activity to be built into the day. In later stages of restrictions, physical activity became an opportunity for social interaction and several participants reported intending to continue to replace sedentary means of socialising (e.g., meeting in cafes) with more active, outdoor activities (e.g., walking) once restrictions were lifted. Staying active and building activity into the day was seen as important to support physical and mental health during the challenging times of the pandemic.

Whilst many participants found the UK lockdown challenging, adaptations to cope with the restrictions presented some positive changes related to physical activity and diet behaviours. Helping people sustain their new healthier activities since restrictions have lifted is a challenge but presents an opportunity for public health promotion.

The COVID-19 pandemic and its protective measures had a tremendous effect on the general population's mental health and deeply affected their lifestyle. The present study carried out a longitudinal analysis to evaluate the long-lasting psychological effects of the pandemic and its impact on the general population's day-to-day routine. Three points in time were considered: the initial period of the lockdown (T1; n = 2766; March 2020), the final period of the lockdown (T2; n = 439; May 2020) and two years after the lockdown (T3; n = 268; July 2022). Frequency analyses were carried out to examine which behavioral changes were maintained following the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown; furthermore, a repeated measures ANOVA test was run to measure differences in depression, stress, and anxiety levels between the three periods considered; lastly, multivariable ordinal logistic regression analyses were carried out to examine which variables were associated with psychological distress more than two years after the lockdown. The results highlighted that depression at T3 was associated with depression at T2 and negative affect, whereas stress at T3 was associated with stress at T2 and detachment. The psychological effects and lifestyle changes are also discussed.