Impact of the pandemic on leisure physical activity and alcohol consumption – who were affected and who were not? Results from a Swedish longitudinal cohort study using two different methods to measure change

Abstract Background The COVID-19 pandemic was associated with increased morbidity and high mortality due to the Sars-Cov-2 virus, but the pandemic also influenced health behaviors such as physical activity (PA) and alcohol consumption. The aim of this study was to examine potential changes in leisure PA and alcohol consumption in Sweden during the pandemic, and to explore whether identified changes varied between sex, age groups and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods Data were retrieved from two waves of the longitudinal cohort study Life conditions, Stress and Health (LSH) (n = 2,523). Two measures of change were used; longitudinal change relative to baseline (2012–2015) and reported change compared to before the pandemic. For these two change measures, differences between sex, age group and SES were analyzed using multinomial logistic regression. Results Irrespective of change measure, the proportion with decreased PA was larger among women than men. Also, relative to baseline, women were less likely to having increased PA. However, according to the reported change relative to before the pandemic, women were more likely to have increased PA. Longitudinal change in PA compared to baseline followed a reversed age gradient, while, according to reported change, a decrease in PA during the pandemic was most prevalent in respondents 45 years of age at baseline (OR = 1.8, CI: 1.2–2.5) and respondents 50 years of age at baseline (OR = 1.7, CI: 1.2–2.4). High SES was associated with a greater variability in PA. Alcohol consumption was generally reduced during the pandemic. However, individuals aged 40 or 45 years at baseline were more likely than others to have initiated risky alcohol consumption. Conclusions Women were more likely to change their PA levels during the pandemic. The most profound decreases in PA were found in individuals of working ages. Although the pandemic led to a general decrease in alcohol consumption, individuals aged 40 and 45 were more likely than other ages to have initiated risky alcohol consumption. In conclusion, societal restrictions during a pandemic pose a risk for decreased PA among individuals in working ages, but can also open a window of opportunity, not least for women, to increase their PA levels.