Six out of ten Canadians report that their lifestyle remained stable or improved during the pandemic, according to a new study, particularly with regard to their diet and level of physical activity.
On the other hand, four out of ten Canadians saw their habits deteriorate during the health crisis. Among the risk factors identified, dissatisfaction with body image increased the risk of adopting poorer lifestyle habits during the crisis almost ninefold; depression and increased stress levels were also blamed.
“Our study has provided us with information to help target people who are at risk of having deteriorating habits,” said the study’s lead author, researcher Anne-Julie Tessier, who completed this work as part of her doctoral studies at McGill University and is now pursuing post-doctoral studies at Harvard University’s T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
“Subsequently, it’s going to be important to prevent if there’s