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Changes in Physical Activity Levels and Eating Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic Analysis in University Students

Author

Listed:
  • Maria Ferrara

    (Observatory on Health Education and Hygiene Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

  • Elisa Langiano

    (Observatory on Health Education and Hygiene Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

  • Lavinia Falese

    (Observatory on Health Education and Hygiene Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

  • Pierluigi Diotaiuti

    (Observatory on Health Education and Hygiene Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

  • Cristina Cortis

    (Observatory on Health Education and Hygiene Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

  • Elisabetta De Vito

    (Observatory on Health Education and Hygiene Laboratory, Department of Human Sciences, Society and Health, University of Cassino and Southern Lazio, 03043 Cassino, Italy)

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced schools and universities to shift their activities online, influencing the adoption of health-related behaviours such as physical activity and healthy dietary habits. The present study investigates the changes in adherence to a healthy diet and regular physical activity in university students in Italy before and during the COVID-19 pandemic and understands the role of sociodemographic variables in creating the changes above. We conducted a repeated cross-sectional survey performing the same sampling strategy at the first data collection (T0) and second data collection (T1) with a combination of convenience and snowball sampling approaches. The sample is composed of a total of 2001 students, 60.2% women and 39.8% men, with an average age of 22.7 (±5.5 SD). At T1, 39.9% of the students reported regular physical activity. During the pandemic, however, many, especially male students, abandoned or reduced physical activity practice (T1 40%), with an increase in social media use (T0 52.1%; T1 90%). A direct association between very low frequency of physical activity and increased sedentary time (r = 0.2, p = 0.001) and between change in dietary style and increased Body Mass Index (BMI) value (r = 0.3, p = 0.002) was found. The multivariate analysis for the total sample showed that some sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, parents’ level of education, area of study, household type, and perception of one’s body influence eating behaviours and physical activity. Our findings suggest that universities should invest in the protection and promotion of the health of their students with specific awareness programmes, and further research should repeat the survey in the post-lockdown period to investigate the long-term effects on health-related behaviours.

Suggested Citation

  • Maria Ferrara & Elisa Langiano & Lavinia Falese & Pierluigi Diotaiuti & Cristina Cortis & Elisabetta De Vito, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity Levels and Eating Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic Analysis in University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:9:p:5550-:d:807847
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Aurélie Goncalves & Sarah Le Vigouroux & Elodie Charbonnier, 2021. "University Students’ Lifestyle Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-9, August.
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    5. Federica Galli & Francesco Giancamilli & Tommaso Palombi & Jacopo Antonino Vitale & Stefano Borghi & Alessandra De Maria & Elisa Cavicchiolo & Pierluigi Diotaiuti & Antonio La Torre & Arnaldo Zelli & , 2022. "Anxiety, Motives, and Intention for Physical Activity during the Italian COVID-19 Lockdown: An Observational Longitudinal Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(8), pages 1-9, April.
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    8. Francesca Gallè & Elita Anna Sabella & Stefano Ferracuti & Osvalda De Giglio & Giuseppina Caggiano & Carmela Protano & Federica Valeriani & Eduardo Alfonso Parisi & Giuliana Valerio & Giorgio Liguori , 2020. "Sedentary Behaviors and Physical Activity of Italian Undergraduate Students during Lockdown at the Time of CoViD−19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-11, August.
    9. Mariarita Brancaccio & Cristina Mennitti & Alessandro Gentile & Luca Correale & Cosme Franklim Buzzachera & Cinzia Ferraris & Cristina Montomoli & Giulia Frisso & Paola Borrelli & Olga Scudiero, 2021. "Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Job Activity, Dietary Behaviours and Physical Activity Habits of University Population of Naples, Federico II-Italy," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-14, February.
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    2. Eliane A. Goicochea & Bruno Coloma-Naldos & Jeel Moya-Salazar & Víctor Rojas-Zumaran & Jeel G. Moya-Espinoza & Hans Contreras-Pulache, 2022. "Physical Activity and Body Image Perceived by University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Systematic Review," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(24), pages 1-13, December.
    3. Luis Torres & Manuela C. Caciula & Alin S. Tomoiaga & Carmen Gugu-Gramatopol, 2023. "Correlations between Mental Health, Physical Activity, and Body Composition in American College Students after the COVID-19 Pandemic Lockdown," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(22), pages 1-11, November.

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