Diet, Exercise, and Nutrition Challenges in Mexican Adults During COVID-19: A Study

NCT ID: NCT06817070

Last Updated: 2025-02-10

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Total Enrollment: 1082 participants
• Study Classification: OBSERVATIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2021-08-01
• Study Completion Date: 2021-10-15

Brief Summary

The COVID-19 pandemic was particularly devastating in developing countries such as Mexico, where the nation reported some of the highest COVID-19 cases and a high prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to evaluate the food consumption among Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional study was conducted, involving 1,082 Mexican adults recruited through online invitations containing a link to complete a survey. A 48-item questionnaire was designed to assess the frequency of food consumption and sociodemographic characteristics in a semi-quantitative manner. A retrospective instrument was used to evaluate physical activity (days/week and duration).

Detailed Description

The COVID-19 pandemic had a particularly harsh impact on developing countries like Mexico, which reported some of the highest numbers of COVID-19 cases and a significant prevalence of obesity. This study aimed to examine the eating habits of Mexican adults during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional survey was conducted, involving 1,082 Mexican adults who were recruited via online invitations that included a link to complete a questionnaire. A 48-item survey was created to evaluate the frequency of food consumption and sociodemographic factors semi-quantitatively. Physical activity was assessed using a retrospective tool to measure the frequency and duration of exercise per week.

The main discovery identified two dietary patterns: industrialized and healthy. The industrialized dietary pattern was more common and included the consumption of sugary dairy products, sugary drinks, alcoholic beverages, sweets, fried foods, and both red and processed meats. Men consumed significantly more ultra-processed foods (22.5%) compared to women (15.45%) based on a 2000 kcal diet. In addition, participants did not meet the recommended intake levels for fruits, vegetables, legumes, and natural dairy products. Intake of sugary drinks was three times higher than recommended for both genders. Regarding physical activity, only 29.7% of participants reported engaging in adequate physical activity.

The study also highlighted insufficient consumption of nuts and an excessive intake of red and processed meats. It underscored the necessity for intervention and educational initiatives to improve dietary choices, particularly among younger populations.

Conditions

COVID19 Disease

Study Design

• Observational Model Type: ECOLOGIC_OR_COMMUNITY
• Study Time Perspective: CROSS_SECTIONAL

Study Groups

General Study Group

Overall participants having either underweight, normal weight, overweight, or the 3 obesity types

Food Consumption survey

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

A comprehensive survey was created using Google Forms® to collect sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, dietary data, and physical activity information from participants across most Mexican states. All self-administered surveys began with informed consent and were distributed via instant messaging (WhatsApp), social networks (Facebook, Twitter), and email using a snowball sampling method. Sociodemographic data included age, gender, and residence, while anthropometric data covered weight, height, and physical activity. Food intake was assessed using a 48-item semi-quantitative tool based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2021, with participants reporting the frequency and quantity of food consumed on a Likert scale. Responses were converted to daily consumption values and caloric intake using the Mexican System of Foods and Equivalents. Foods and beverages were categorized into twelve groups: six healthy (fruits, vegetables, legumes, natural dairy, white meat, nuts, and

Interventions

Food Consumption survey

A comprehensive survey was created using Google Forms® to collect sociodemographic, clinical, anthropometric, dietary data, and physical activity information from participants across most Mexican states. All self-administered surveys began with informed consent and were distributed via instant messaging (WhatsApp), social networks (Facebook, Twitter), and email using a snowball sampling method. Sociodemographic data included age, gender, and residence, while anthropometric data covered weight, height, and physical activity. Food intake was assessed using a 48-item semi-quantitative tool based on the National Health and Nutrition Survey 2021, with participants reporting the frequency and quantity of food consumed on a Likert scale. Responses were converted to daily consumption values and caloric intake using the Mexican System of Foods and Equivalents. Foods and beverages were categorized into twelve groups: six healthy (fruits, vegetables, legumes, natural dairy, white meat, nuts, and

Intervention Type: DIAGNOSTIC_TEST

Other Intervention Names

Anthropometric characteristics

Eligibility Criteria

Exclusion Criteria

-

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 55 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes

Sponsors

Universidad de Monterrey

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Tecnologico de Monterrey

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Universidad de Granada

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Ivan Luzardo-Ocampo

Professor-Researcher

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Principal Investigators

Anayansi Escalante-Aburto, Ph. D.

Role: STUDY_CHAIR

Tecnologico de Monterrey

Locations

Universidad de Monterrey

Monterrey, Nuevo León, Mexico

Countries

Mexico

Other Identifiers

UDEM-AGOC21

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id