Body Mass Index, Practice of Physical Activity and Lifestyle of Students During COVID-19 Lockdown

Abstract

Purpose: Several factors influence the student's physical activity and lifestyle. The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) lockdown has restricted student's activity and altered their routine lifestyle. This prospective cohort study aimed to determine the significant changes in body mass index (BMI), physical activity, and lifestyle of the students including diet, sleep, and mental health before and during COVID-19 lockdown. Methods: The study participants were 628 students studying bachelor's degree programs, between 18 and 30 years of age, both genders from the university of Al-Ahsa, Saudi Arabia. The lockdown began on 23 March and ended on 21 June 2020 in Saudi Arabia. The students were interviewed before (March 2020) and during (June 2020) lockdown. The structured tool included baseline information of the students, anthropometric data, global physical activity questionnaire (GPAQ), dietary recall, Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI), and perceived stress scale (PSP). Chi-square tests were used to associate the baseline information with BMI changes during the lockdown. Results: BMI of the students showed that 32% increased their weight, 22% lost their weight and 46% maintained the same weight during COVID-19 lockdown. The physical activity significantly decreased and sedentary time increased (p = 0.0001). Regarding the lifestyle components, fast and fried food consumption decreased, and calorie intake increased significantly (p = 0.001). Stress level (p = 0.001) significantly decreased, and sleep level (p = 0.001) increased during lockdown. The variables associated with weight changes were the level of students (p < 0.05) and time spent on social media per day (p < 0.0001). Conclusion:Though half of the students maintained the same BMI during the lockdown, students who increased BMI were associated with physical activity and lifestyle. Hence, health awareness on weight maintenance, active physical activities, and a healthy lifestyle must be created among the students, which help in creating and implementing policies in the future.

Motor activity of nursing students in the conditions of the COVID-19 pandemic

“…The results of this study show that significant changes have occurred, including decreased physical activity and increased sedentary, sleep and screen time [18]. Similar to our results are data from a study conducted in Saudi Arabia, according to which most students report poor physical activity during the COVID-19 pandemic and most of them lead a sedentary lifestyle [19].…”

Association of Differences in Dietary Behaviours and Lifestyle with Self-Reported Weight Gain during the COVID-19 Lockdown in a University Community from Chile: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…Differences in self-reported weight, BMI, and percentage body weight were present to a greater extent in subjects with a self-reported worsened lifestyle, and, although emotional feeding behaviour was associated with a greater BMI, most of the association was related to differences in lifestyle during lockdown. Other studies have found that increased sedentary time, disturbed sleep, time spent on social media, and increased working time at home are associated with weight gain during lockdown [ 12 , 13 , 15 ].…”

“…In a cohort of university students from Eastern Asia changes in body mass index after lockdown occurred in 54% (32% increased body mass index (BMI) and 22% lost weight) [ 12 ]. Worsening mental health, sleep, dietary, and other lifestyle components markedly occurred in those who experienced weight gain.…”

Comparison of Menstruation-Related Symptoms Before and During Menstruation of University Students in Japan, a Year after the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…For university students, various changes in their academic life occurred, such as restrictions in access to campus and increased online classes. A prospective cohort study conducted before and during the COVID-19 lockdown amongst university students in Saudi Arabia showed that physical activity had decreased, sedentary time had increased, and that although their level of sleeping had decreased but sleeping time had increased (Jalal, Beth, Al-Hassan, & Alshealah, 2021). A cross-sectional survey amongst medical students in nine countries including Japan reported that 90% of respondents mentioned a transition to online education, and 96% of students increased their time spent in front of screens such as computers, cell phones, tablets, and others electronic devices (Perez-Dominguez et al, 2021).…”