The Impact of the COVID-19 Lockdown on Lifestyles and Serum Indicators in the Working Population

Abstract

Abstract Background The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak that started in China in late December 2019 compelled China to enact sanitary regulations and social segregation policies. Approximately 1.4 billion Chinese people experienced lockdowns, had to work remotely and homeschool their children, and had difficulties adjusting to stressful events and quarantine. Due to the lack of information on the effects of lockdown on health status, this study examined how changes in dietary practices, physical activity, and serum markers were affected by COVID-19 lockdowns in the working population. Methods An observational retrospective study was conducted, and office workers who underwent two routine physical examinations prior to and following the initial lockdown were included. The sample was classified into four categories based on sex and body mass index (BMI). Medical examination reports provided data on height, weight, and serum biochemical indices. The health risk assessment questionnaire collected demographic and lifestyle information, including physical activity, smoking and drinking. Results A total of 533 respondents aged 22 to 60 participated in this study. After the lockdown, BMI increased in all normal BMI groups (all p < 0.0001). Increases in serum aspartate aminotransferase (AST), serum alanine transaminase (ALT), gamma-glutamyl transferase (GGT), total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and serum glucose levels were found in the normal BMI groups (all p < 0.05). We also detected a significant drop in serum uric acid (UA) levels in all BMI groups (all p < 0.05). PA decreased significantly during lockdown in the normal BMI subgroups (z=-4.453, p < 0.001) but remained the same in the high BMI subgroups (z=-1.07, p = 0.285). The results showed that smoking and drinking decreased during quarantine (smoking, z=-4.796, p < 0.00001 in normal BMI groups, z=-2.163, p < 0.00001 in high BMI groups; drinking, z=-5.667, p < 0.00001 in normal BMI groups, z=-2.668, p < 0.00001 in high BMI groups). Conclusion This study showed that lockdowns had a significant impact on office workers’ lifestyles and serum markers, especially in normal BMI groups. Additional research is needed to comprehend how individual workers’ health-related behaviors—such as nutrition and other serum markers—changed over time during lockdown.