Completed

NCT Number: NCT06817070

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

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).

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Key information

Conditions

COVID19 Disease

Age range

18 year–55 year

Sex eligibility

All sexes

Study type

Observational

Primary location

Universidad de Monterrey

Monterrey, Nuevo León, 66238, Mexico

About this study

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.

Who can participate

Healthy volunteers accepted: Yes

Only the study team can determine whether someone qualifies for participation.

Inclusion criteria

Additional to the age, people living in Mexico during the COVID pandemics.

Exclusion criteria

People who did not live in Mexico during the COVID pandemics

Treatment and study plan

Food Consumption survey

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

Other names: Anthropometric characteristics

Primary outcomes

Sociodemographics

Time frame: 2 months

The survey yielded a sample of 1,082 participants. Women made up 66% of the respondents. The majority of participants were in the 18 to 24-year-old age group (48.9%), followed by those aged 25 to 34 (15.8%). As for BMI, 64% of participants reported having a normal BMI. Additionally, 47.9% indicated they led a sedentary lifestyle, whereas only 29.7% reported engaging in optimal physical activity.
Dietary Patterns

Time frame: 2 months

Two dietary patterns were identified in the study. The first, termed the "industrialized diet," is characterized by high consumption of natural dairy products, white meats, processed dairy products with added sugar, red and processed meats, alcoholic beverages, sugary drinks, confectionery, sweets, snacks, and fried foods. The second, known as the "healthy dietary pattern," includes high consumption of fruits, vegetables, legumes, natural dairy products, white meats, and nuts. These patterns explained 43.33% of the total variance in the participants' diets.

Sponsors and collaborators

Lead sponsor

Universidad Autonoma de Queretaro

Other

Collaborators

Tecnologico de Monterrey
Universidad de Granada
Universidad de Monterrey

Registry information

Official study title

Dietary Patterns, Physical Activity, and Nutritional Challenges Among Mexican Adults During the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Study

Acronym: UDEM Covid19

Important dates

Study start: 2021
Primary completion: 2021
Study completion: 2021
First posted: Feb 10, 2025
Registry last updated: Feb 10, 2025

OpenTrials presents study information sourced from ClinicalTrials.gov. The official registry record should be consulted for the latest information.

View the official ClinicalTrials.gov record (opens in a new tab)

This listing is for discovery and informational purposes only. It is not medical advice, does not guarantee that a study is recruiting, and does not determine eligibility. Contact the study team and a qualified healthcare professional when considering participation.