CHANGES IN RISK FACTORS FOR NONCOMMUNICABLE DISEASES IN URUGUAYAN WOMEN DURING COVID-19 VOLUNTARY CONFINEMENT

Introduction: Confinement as a social distancing measure to reduce the spread of the virus SARS-CoV-2 can affect dietary habits, physical activity and healthcare, amplifying risk factors (RF) for noncommunicable diseases (NCD). Objectives: To determine the presence of RF for NCD before and during COVID-19 confinement in a sample of Uruguayan adult women. Methods: Cross-sectional study through an online anonymous questionnaire available for a period of two weeks. Women ≥25 living in Uruguay during voluntary confinement who were internet users and gave voluntary consent to participate were included. We assessed for dietary RF (fruits and vegetables, processed foods, sugary drinks, over use of salt defined as salt added during cooking and during consumption), physical activity, body weight and alcohol consumption, before and during confinement. Results were shown in percentage frequency. Results: Overall, 631 women (68.8% from the capital, 56.9% university-level education, 25.5% health workers, 61.3% living in houses, 61.8% keeping 2 months confinement) answered the questionnaire. During confinement 44.2% increased food consumption and particularly RF: processed foods ≥3times/week (43.9% vs. 37.9% before), sugary drinks ≥3times/week (37.4% vs. 32.9%), over use of salt (17.3% vs. 16.3%), salty foods (17% vs. 15.2%) and daily alcohol consumption (5.4% vs. 2.3%). Low fruit and vegetable intake increased (75.1% vs. 73.2%). During confinement 59.6% did not achieve sufficient physical activity (43.9% before) and 62.3% had sedentary behaviour (44.2% before). Overall, 21.9% declared hypertension, 14.9% dysglycemia and 32.8% dyslipidemia. A total of 47.6% were overweight/obese and 36.5% perceived an increase in body weight during confinement. Conclusions: In this sample of highly educated women with presence of risk factors, COVID-19 confinement may affect lifestyle habits with impact over NCD.