Project description
In the first three months of the COVID-19 pandemic (March-May 2020), the Dutch government implemented its ‘intelligent lockdown’. Citizens were urged to leave their homes as little as possible and work from home. This lockdown caused a sudden and radical change in the lives and habits of the Dutch population.
The large impact of the COVID-19 pandemic might motivate people to stay healthy and adopt a healthier lifestyle. On the other hand, the COVID-19 control measures such as social distancing and home isolation might increase sedentary behavior or unhealthy eating. Furthermore, previous studies have indicated that people who use Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM) may exhibit on average a healthier lifestyle behavior than non-CAM users.
The aims of this study are therefore:
1. To determine life-style related changes during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic
2. To identify sociodemographic factors that are associated with changes into lifestyle
3. To explore possible differences in COVID-19-related lifestyle changes between users and non-users of CAM
4. To understand the intention of people to continue lifestyle changes and the required support to maintain this lifestyle change in the long-term
How are we doing this study?
The study will be performed via an online survey by Ipsos Netherlands. From a panel of 45,000 Dutch citizens, a representative sample will be invited to complete a questionnaire until 1,000 individual responses are received. The questionnaire includes 26 question on current lifestyle related measures, lifestyle related changes since the COVID-19 outbreak, and intention to continue lifestyle changes and need for support. For this study, six main aspects of lifestyle will be addressed: nutrition, exercise, sleep, addiction, relaxation and meaning and purpose/spirituality.
The results of the study are expected to be published in 2021.
Who are our partners?
NAFKAM is collaborating with a research team from the Netherlands (Louis Bolk Institute, Dutch Consortium for Integrative Medicine and Health, Van Praag Institute, Center for Integrative Psychiatry at the Lentis Mental Health Care Institution) in this study.
