Eating Behaviors among Online Learning Undergraduates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The outbreak of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has upended education systems. The pandemic switched traditional face-to-face classes to online classes. Poor eating behaviors in undergraduate students’ lives may affect the well-being of their later stages of life. This study aimed to investigate the eating behaviors among online learning undergraduates during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 122 students were recruited. The results revealed more than half of the respondents (52.46%) skipped meals. Breakfast (46.72%) was the most skipped meal. The majority of the respondents (94.26%) snacked between meals. Biscuits (88.52%), bread (84.43%), and fruits (80.33%) were the most common snacked foods. Meal skipping was found to be associated with gender (χ2 = 6.83, p < 0.05). In the future, more health interventions program aimed to promote healthy eating behaviors among undergraduates are highly warranted.

The Association between Online Learning and Food Consumption and Lifestyle Behaviors and Quality of Life in Terms of Mental Health of Undergraduate Students during COVID-19 Restrictions

“…Argun et al stated that adults skip breakfast more frequently than other main meals because of lack of time, waking up late, and fatigue [24]. These results are similar to previous studies demonstrating that more than half of the surveyed respondents had meal skipping behavior as undergraduate students who studied online during the COVID-19 pandemic [18]. Under the lockdown, the reason behind the meal skipping behavior of students may be attributed to the low accessibility of food purchased from physical stores [25].…”

“…Online learning platforms have also increased the duration of computer, tablet, and smartphone usage, the study load and volume of tasks and assignments, leading to lack of sleep, and destructive eating behaviors [15,16]. Moreover, online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes in food intake and lifestyle habits, including increased consumption of unhealthy diets such as sugary beverages, snacks, and sweets and decreased physical activity and exercise [17][18][19]. Furthermore, it has been observed that online learning university students consumed snacks and skipped breakfast during the pandemic [18].…”

“…Moreover, online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic resulted in changes in food intake and lifestyle habits, including increased consumption of unhealthy diets such as sugary beverages, snacks, and sweets and decreased physical activity and exercise [17][18][19]. Furthermore, it has been observed that online learning university students consumed snacks and skipped breakfast during the pandemic [18]. Although several reports on online learning education linked to eating habits, lifestyles, and mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic have been published, studies regarding the association between the duration of online learning and students' food consumption and lifestyle habits and quality of life during COVID-19 restrictions are not yet understood.…”

Knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards COVID-19 among undergraduates during emergency remote learning

“…This causes unprecedented disruption to all sectors. In the education sector, students were instructed to stay at home, and the process of teaching and learning switched to virtual mode [ 5 ].…”

Changes in diet, lifestyle, and Orthorexia Nervosa tendency during the COVID-19 pandemic: A web-based study

“…General dietary habits and physical activity are also among the lifestyle factors that have changed in the COVID-19 pandemic [4,5]. In particular, the fact that individuals spend more time at home with media and social media tools has led to an increase in sedentary time [6].…”