Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Hanan Alfawaz, Osama E. Amer, Abdulaziz A. Aljumah, Dara A. Aldisi, Mushira A. Enani, Naji J. Aljohani, Naif H. Alotaibi, Naemah Alshingetti, Suliman Y. Alomar, Malak Nawaz Khan Khattak, Shaun Sabico, Nasser M. Al-Daghri
Summary: The study aimed to explore the effects of COVID-19 home quarantine on lifestyle and health behavior of Saudi residents. The survey found that non-Saudis were more likely to increase their physical activity during quarantine, while the prevalence of walking daily decreased and snacking between meals increased. The lockdown in Saudi Arabia significantly impacted physical activity and dietary behaviors in an unhealthy way, calling for interventions to address these adverse lifestyle behaviors during the pandemic.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Mireille Harmouche-Karaki, Maya Mahfouz, Pascale Salameh, Nour El Helou
Summary: This study assesses physical activity levels and predictors among Lebanese adults during lockdown, using both classical statistics and machine learning models. The results show a decrease in physical activity during lockdown and highlight the importance of outdoor activity in contributing to overall physical activity levels.
Article
Psychology, Clinical
Jose Antonio Cecchini, Alejandro Carriedo, Javier Fernandez-Rio, Antonio Mendez-Gimenez, Carmen Gonzalez, Beatriz Sanchez-Martinez, Pablo Rodriguez-Gonzalez
Summary: This study evaluated the evolution of depressive symptoms during home confinement due to COVID-19 in Spain and found a significant increase in depressive symptoms, which were negatively correlated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity levels.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF CLINICAL AND HEALTH PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Nada A. Al-Mulla, Ziyad R. Mahfoud
Summary: This study assessed the impact of quarantine on physical activity, screen time, sleep, and diet in children aged 5 to 12 in Qatar. The results showed that quarantine led to a significant decrease in physical activity, an increase in unhealthy food consumption, and a delay in bedtime and waketime. The majority of parents were disappointed with their child's lifestyle during quarantine. Therefore, interventions should be considered to counteract these negative effects when implementing restrictions.
FRONTIERS IN PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Evelien Mertens, Peter Deriemaeker, Katrien Van Beneden
Summary: The study found that during lockdown, individuals living alone made the healthiest food choices, while those cohabiting with others significantly increased their physical activity. Adults living with other adults tended to make healthier dietary adjustments, whereas those living with children showed more favorable changes in food choices. Additionally, respondents living with other adults exhibited a more favorable pattern in adjustments to physical activity.
Article
Pediatrics
Ricardo Martinez-Flores, Ignacio Castillo Canete, Vicente Perez Marholz, Valentina Marin Trincado, Carolina Fernandez Guzman, Rodrigo Fuentes Figueroa, Gabriela Carrasco Mieres, Maximiliano Gonzalez Rodriguez, Fernando Rodriguez-Rodriguez
Summary: This study compared the levels of sedentary behavior and physical activity among Chilean schoolchildren before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering sociodemographic variables. The results showed significant differences in sedentary behavior between sexes before the pandemic, but no significant differences during the pandemic. Video game and computer time decreased, while telephone and television time increased during the pandemic. Physical activity also increased during the pandemic.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Visnja Dordic, Milan Cvetkovic, Boris Popovic, Danilo Radanovic, Milica Lazic, Biljana Cvetkovic, Slobodan Andrasic, Svetlana Buisic, Miroslav Markovic
Summary: This study examined the relationship between physical activity level, eating habits, and mental health among Serbian adolescents during the COVID-19 pandemic. The results showed moderate correlations between physical activity, eating habits, and mental health, and breakfast frequency was a significant predictor of mental health.
Article
Food Science & Technology
Maria Kyprianidou, Stavri Chrysostomou, Costas A. Christophi, Konstantinos Giannakou
Summary: This study examines the differences in dietary and lifestyle habits during and after the lockdown measures in Cyprus and finds that the participants had healthier habits during the lockdown period. They consumed more fruits, vegetables, legumes/pulses, fish, and poultry, had higher intake of olive oil, and consumed less alcohol during the lockdown. The study also reveals that there was a higher proportion of participants using delivery services and engaging in physical activity during the lockdown compared to the post-lockdown period.
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Manar Abduljalil Bakhsh, Jomana Khawandanah, Rouba Khalil Naaman, Shoug Alashmali
Summary: The study found that during the COVID-19 lockdown, approximately 40% and 45% of participants reported eating more and snacking more, leading to weight gain in around 28%. Most participants reported consuming home-cooked (73%) and healthy meals (47%), with only 7% reporting consuming food from restaurants.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Alicia M. Alonso-Martinez, Robinson Ramirez-Velez, Yesenia Garcia-Alonso, Mikel Izquierdo, Antonio Garcia-Hermoso
Summary: This study examined the effects of the COVID-19 lockdown on physical activity, sedentary time, sleep, and self-regulation in preschoolers. Results showed a decrease in physical activity, an increase in sedentary time, and worsening of sleep efficiency and self-regulation problems during the lockdown. Preschoolers who met the WHO physical activity recommendations had lower internalizing scores than non-active peers.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Public, Environmental & Occupational Health
Yanyun Li, Tianzhichao Hou, Minna Cheng, Ya Miao, Yeerzati Yeerjang, Chang-sheng Sheng, Kun Xue, Cui Wu, Sheng Zhang, Qinghua Yan, Jianfeng Pei, Qinping Yang, Jingyan Tian, Wanghong Xu, Yan Shi
Summary: This study reveals a high prevalence of anxiety among individuals with non-communicable diseases during the COVID-19 lockdown. The findings suggest that engagement in housework and outdoor activities is negatively associated with anxiety, while exercise activities show no significant correlation. Patients with moderate or high levels of physical activity have a lower prevalence of anxiety.
Article
Sport Sciences
Eero A. Haapala, Juuso Vaisto, Johanna K. Ihalainen, Claudia Tomaselli Gonzalez, Marja H. Leppanen, Aapo Veijalainen, Taisa Sallinen, Aino-Maija Eloranta, Ulf Ekelund, Ursula Schwab, Soren Brage, Mustafa Atalay, Timo A. Lakka
Summary: The study showed that physical activity is inversely associated with inflammatory biomarkers in children, while sedentary time is directly associated with them. Additionally, physical activity has a stronger inverse association with inflammatory biomarkers in children with a higher body fat percentage.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF SPORT SCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Judith A. Okely, Janie Corley, Miles Welstead, Adele M. Taylor, Danielle Page, Barbora Skarabela, Paul Redmond, Simon R. Cox, Tom C. Russ
Summary: During the COVID-19 lockdown, older adults experienced a decrease in physical activity levels but an increase in perceived social support. Positive changes in psychosocial and behavioral outcomes during lockdown were associated with personality traits (greater intellect, emotional stability, and extraversion) and higher general cognitive ability. Participants with a history of cardiovascular disease, more symptoms of anxiety, or who lived alone were more likely to experience negative changes in outcomes during lockdown.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Anna Lardone, Patrizia Turriziani, Pierpaolo Sorrentino, Onofrio Gigliotta, Andrea Chirico, Fabio Lucidi, Laura Mandolesi
Summary: The study found that during lockdown, the restriction of behaviors resulted in increased non-verbal fluency, as indicated by a significant increase in the number of new drawings. Interestingly, there was a significant tendency to use the left part of each box in the m-FPT, which correlated with TAS-20 and the subscales assessing difficulty in describing and identifying feelings.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Ruihua Li, Chuanning Huang, Beier Guan, Jiang Du, Min Zhao, Shuyan Liu
Summary: This study aims to examine the changes in mental health during the Shanghai lockdown and its association with lockdown, loneliness, and perceived stress. Two online surveys were conducted before and at the end of the lockdown, revealing an increase in loneliness and a higher risk for mental health conditions among residents in Shanghai compared to those outside Shanghai. The study also found that the lockdown, loneliness, and perceived stress were associated with poor mental health.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Katja Kramberger, Zala Jenko Praznikar, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, Ana Petelin, Dunja Bandelj, Sasa Kenig
Summary: By comparing Helichrysum arenarium and Helichrysum italicum, it was found that different types of plants have varying antioxidative potential, influenced by the harvest date. Helichrysum italicum exhibited higher radical scavenging activity and could protect cells from oxidative stress.
Article
Plant Sciences
Sasa Kenig, Katja Kramberger, Ana Petelin, Dunja Bandelj, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, Ana Miklavcic Visnjevec, Kelly Peeters, Nina Mohorko, Karin Sik Novak, Zala Jenko Praznikar
Summary: The study showed that ingestion of H. italicum infusion significantly increased resting energy expenditure and fat oxidation, and up-regulated lipid metabolism-related genes in hepatocytes, indicating its potential application in obesity prevention.
Article
Plant Sciences
Katja Kramberger, Darja Barlic-Maganja, Zala Jenko Praznikar, Tadeja Rezen, Damjana Rozman, Jure Praznikar, Sasa Kenig
Summary: The study aimed to explain the previously demonstrated effects of Helichrysum italicum (HI) and justify its use in traditional medicine. Transcriptome analysis revealed that HI infusion altered gene expression related to cytoskeletal rearrangement, cell growth, interleukin signaling, and transcriptional regulation. This indicates the main mode of HI action is wound healing through genes such as SERPING1, ARHGAP1, IL33 and CDKN1A.
JOURNAL OF ETHNOPHARMACOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Ana Petelin, Karin Sik Novak, Matjaz Hladnik, Dunja Bandelj, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, Katja Kramberger, Sasa Kenig, Zala Jenko Praznikar
Summary: The consumption of Helichrysum italicum and Helichrysum arenarium infusions can improve gut microbiota, reduce inflammation, and enhance gut barrier function, making them potential prebiotics for improving obesity and metabolic syndrome.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Lucia Merolle, Lorella Pascolo, Luisa Zupin, Pietro Parisse, Valentina Bonanni, Gianluca Gariani, Sasa Kenig, Diana E. Bedolla, Sergio Crovella, Giuseppe Ricci, Stefano Iotti, Emil Malucelli, George Kourousias, Alessandra Gianoncelli
Summary: Although X-ray fluorescence microscopy is widely used for single-cell analysis, sample preparation remains a major challenge. The information on sample treatment is inadequate and unclear, leading to wasted time and jeopardizing the success of the experiment. Various fixation methods have been described, but none have been systematically tested for synchrotron X-ray microscopy.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Karin Sik Novak, Nives Bogataj Jontez, Ana Petelin, Matjaz Hladnik, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, Dunja Bandelj, Jure Praznikar, Sasa Kenig, Nina Mohorko, Zala Jenko Praznikar
Summary: This study aimed to determine whether gut microbiota composition could be a useful indicator of a long-term dietary pattern. The results suggest that gut microbiota composition at the genus level is not a reliable predictor of an individual's dietary pattern, except for vegans who have a high abundance of Prevotella 9. A combination of multiple variables, including anthropometric measurements, serum biomarkers, lifestyle factors, gastrointestinal symptoms, psychological factors, and specific nutrient intake, is more important in predicting an individual's microbiota composition cluster with 91% accuracy than dietary intake alone.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Nives Bogataj Jontez, Sasa Kenig, Karin Sik Novak, Ana Petelin, Zala Jenko Praznikar, Nina Mohorko
Summary: This study compared the dietary patterns of individuals following LCHF, vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous diets. The results showed that compared to other groups, the LCHF group had higher intakes of saturated fats, cholesterol, and animal proteins, while the intakes of sugars and dietary fibers were lower. The levels of total and LDL cholesterol were significantly higher in the LCHF group. Thus, it is recommended to select healthy fat sources, increase dietary fiber intake, and partially replace animal sources with plant sources in the LCHF diet.
FRONTIERS IN NUTRITION
(2023)
Article
Rehabilitation
Vesna Simic, Spela Jevsnik, Nina Mohorko
Summary: Competitive adolescent sport climbers often adopt very low energy intake for better strength-to-mass ratio, but this can negatively impact their health and performance. A study on Slovenian Youth Climbing Team members aged 13-18 found that most participants did not meet the recommended energy and nutrient intake, with insufficient carbohydrates, calcium, and vitamin D. Iron intake was also inadequate, particularly in female climbers, and menstrual dysfunction was observed in some female participants. The study suggests the need for nutritional education and regular assessment for adolescent sport climbers.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Sasa Kenig, Katja Kramberger, Karin Sik Novak, Igor Karnjus, Dunja Bandelj, Ana Petelin, Zala Jenko Praznikar
Summary: A study found that consuming infusions of Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum or Helichrysum arenarium can be beneficial for improving metabolic syndrome. Helichrysum italicum subsp. italicum reduces body weight, body mass index, and body fat, while Helichrysum arenarium lowers blood glucose levels and improves lipid profiles. Both infusions decrease LDL and improve serum antioxidant properties.
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Karin Sik Novak, Nives Bogataj Jontez, Sasa Kenig, Matjaz Hladnik, Alenka Baruca Arbeiter, Dunja Bandelj, Masa Cernelic Bizjak, Ana Petelin, Nina Mohorko, Zala Jenko Praznikar
Summary: This study aimed to assess the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on mental health, gut microbiota composition, and stress marker serum cortisol in asymptomatic individuals. The results showed that during the lockdown, individuals reported higher body dissatisfaction, anxiety, and lower positive affect. Females had significantly increased serum cortisol levels post-lockdown, which correlated with perceived stress and anxiety. Changes in gut microbiota composition were also observed during the lockdown.
STRESS-THE INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL ON THE BIOLOGY OF STRESS
(2022)
