The Effect Of The COVID-19 Pandemic And Quarantine Period On The Physical Activity And Dietary Habits Of College-aged Students

Authors

Corby Sidebottom, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
Tianou Zhang, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
Sarah L. Ullevig, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow
Kelly Cheever, University of Texas at San AntonioFollow

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to sudden extreme changes in lifestyle, potentially causing adverse changes in physical activity (PA), sedentary behavior (SB), and dietary habits. It is important to investigate how college students are being impacted by the quarantine periods and campus closures. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 quarantine on frequency of physical activity, frequency of food consumption and food insecurity among college students. The findings of the study will provide preliminary evidence on dietary, PA, and SB changes induced by the pandemic among college students. METHODS: Participants (N = 403) completed a cross-sectional self-report online questionnaire, evaluating the PA, SB, and dietary behaviors before- and during-campus closures (March – May 2020), due to COVID-19. Sociodemographic and descriptive information were also obtained from each participant. A combination of nonparametric statistical tests were used to assess changes in PA, SB, and dietary habits, and between group differences. RESULTS: A total of 291 participants met the inclusion criteria (college-aged, 18-24 years). A mean decrease of 1.26, 1.70, 1.57 days/week (p < .001) were found for vigorous, moderate, and light-intensity PA, respectively. SB increased by 2.66 hours/day, p <0.001. CONCLUSION: College-aged students in quarantine significantly decreased PA levels and increased SB. A significant number of students reported negative changes in dietary habits, most notably in alcohol consumption. Food insecurity significantly increased among the current sample. Public health strategies to attenuate the negative changes in lifestyle habits should be implemented during a global pandemic.

Recommended Citation

Sidebottom, Corby; Zhang, Tianou; Ullevig, Sarah L.; and Cheever, Kelly (2021) "The Effect Of The COVID-19 Pandemic And Quarantine Period On The Physical Activity And Dietary Habits Of College-aged Students," International Journal of Exercise Science: Conference Proceedings: Vol. 2: Iss. 13, Article 103.
Available at: https://digitalcommons.wku.edu/ijesab/vol2/iss13/103