Effects of COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine period on physical activity and dietary habits of college-aged students

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic led to sudden extreme changes in lifestyle, potentially causing adverse changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits. The objective of the study was to investigate the effects of COVID-19 quarantine on physical activity, dietary habits, and food insecurity among college students who were impacted by the quarantine periods and campus closures. The findings of the study will provide preliminary evidence on dietary, physical activity, and sedentary behavior changes induced by the pandemic among college students. Participants (<i>n</i> ​= ​403) completed a cross-sectional self-report online questionnaire, evaluating the physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary behaviors before- and during-COVID-19 campus closures (March-May 2020). Sociodemographic and descriptive information was also obtained from each participant. Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to assess changes in physical activity, sedentary behavior, and dietary habits. McNemar's test was used to compare food insecurity changes. Data were presented as median and interquartile range. A total of 291 participants who met the inclusion criteria were enrolled in the study (college-aged, 18-24 years). Physical activity decreased at vigorous (2 days/week to 1 day/week, <i>p</i> ​< ​0.001), moderate (4 days/week to 1 day/week, <i>p</i> ​< ​0.001), and light (4 days/week to 2 days/week, <i>p</i> ​< ​0.001) intensity levels, while sedentary behavior increased (4 ​h/day to 7 ​h/day, <i>p</i> ​< ​0.001) from pre-to during-COVID-19 quarantine period. Frequencies of meals at home and alcohol consumption increased (<i>Z</i> ​= ​-3.911 and <i>Z</i> ​= ​-4.022, <i>p</i> ​< ​0.001), while frequency of fruit consumption decreased (<i>Z</i> ​= ​-2.116, <i>p</i> ​< ​0.001) from pre-to during-COVID-19 quarantine period. Daily alcohol intake also increased during COVID-19 quarantine period (<i>Z</i> ​= ​-4.442, <i>p</i> ​< ​0.001). Lastly, the percentage of individuals reporting food insecurity significantly increased during COVID-19 quarantine (<i>p</i> ​< ​0.001). College-aged students in quarantine significantly decreased physical activity participation and increased sedentary behavior. Changes in dietary habits were observed, including increased meals at home, alcohol consumption, and decreased fruit consumption. Food insecurity also doubled among college-aged students during quarantine. Public health strategies to attenuate these changes in lifestyle habits should be implemented during a global pandemic.