Changes in Health Behaviors During the COVID-19 Social Distancing Period in South Korea: A Nationwide Study

The COVID-19 pandemic and related social distancing measures disrupted daily life and influenced health behaviors globally. In this study, we aimed to examine temporal trends in health behaviors among South Korean adults from 2017 to 2023 using data from the Korea Community Health Survey. Changes in smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, dietary habits, and healthcare utilization were analyzed across three phases: pre-pandemic (2017-2019), peak social distancing (2020-2021), and post-pandemic transition (2022-2023). Subgroup comparisons were conducted by region (capital, non-capital urban, and rural) and income level (high, middle, and low). Our results showed that behaviors, such as alcohol consumption and physical activity, fluctuated during the pandemic and showed signs of recovery. In contrast, others, such as breakfast consumption, declined consistently. Variations in behavioral changes were observed in the region and income group, highlighting socioeconomic and geographic disparities. These findings suggested that pandemic-related disruptions are associated with long-term changes in health behavior. Furthermore, it highlighted the need for tailored public health strategies to support behavioral recovery and address health inequities.