New research indicates that smoking declined, but harmful drinking behaviour increased during COVID-19 lockdown in the UK. Additionally, psychological distress increased substantially during lockdown.
Researchers conducted longitudinal analyses of data from individuals (n=9748) participating in the UK Household Longitudinal Study. Outcomes assessed were psychological distress, loneliness, cigarette smoking, e-cigarette use and alcohol consumption.
The findings showed that there was a significant increase in the proportion of individuals drinking four or more times a week (relative risk [RR], 1.4; 95% CI, 1.3-1.5) and of those binge drinking (RR, 1.5; 95% CI, 1.3-1.7) during lockdown. Cigarette smoking declined (RR, 0.9; 95% CI, 0.8-1.0) during lockdown and so did e-cigarette use (RR, 0.7; 95% CI, 0.5-0.9).
The prevalence of psychological distress increased from 19.4% in 2017-2019 to 30.6% in April 2020. Women, young adults, individuals from an Asian background and those who were degree educated were the most afflicted.
Writing in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health, the authors said: "Poor mental health is an important predictor of future mortality and several physical health conditions. Given this, further monitoring of the determinants of health, as well as health outcomes, are required."
