Lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic in Japan

Abstract Aims/Introduction This study aimed to reveal lifestyle changes and their impact on glycemic control and weight control in patients with diabetes during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‐19) pandemic in Japan. Materials and Methods We retrospectively analyzed 1,402 outpatients with diabetes at a clinic in Osaka, Japan, who responded to an interview sheet regarding lifestyle changes during the COVID‐19 pandemic between 28 March and 30 May 2020. The association of lifestyle changes with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and weight changes from February to May 2020 was investigated using the linear regression model. We also investigated the association with clinically important change of HbA1c (by ≥0.3%) and bodyweight (by ≥3%), using the cumulative link model. Results Leisure time and other outside physical activities were decreased in one‐quarter of patients during the COVID‐19 pandemic, whereas the amount of meals and snacks was decreased and increased in approximately 10%, respectively. The change in leisure time physical activities was inversely associated with HbA1c and weight changes, whereas the quantitative change of meals with the decline in eating out and that of snacks were positively associated with HbA1c and weight changes (all P