Screen time-based sedentary behaviour, eating regulation and weight status of university students during the COVID-19 lockdown

Abstract

Purpose This study aims to investigate the relationships among screen time-based sedentary behaviour, eating self-regulatory skills and weight status among private university students during the Movement Control Order (MCO). Design/methodology/approach A total of 186 private university students was enrolled in this cross-sectional study using a combination of snowball and purposive sampling approaches. Anthropometric measurements, including body height, body weight before and during the MCO enforcement were self-reported by the respondents. Screen-time based sedentary behaviour sedentary behaviour was evaluated using HELENA sedentary behaviour questionnaire, whereas the Self-Regulation of Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (SREBQ) was used to determine the eating self-regulatory skills in MCO. Findings Respondents spent most of the time on the internet for non-study purposes (148 ± 77.7 min). It is also noted that 64.5% of the respondents had medium eating self-regulatory skill during the MCO, with an average score of 3.0 ± 0.5. Findings from path analysis confirmed that poor eating self-regulation significantly contributed to the weight gain during home confinement (ß = −0.24, p = 0.01). In conclusion, eating self-regulation, but not total screen time, emerged as the determinant for weight gain during the COVID-19 lockdown. Originality/value According to the authors’ knowledge, this study was among the few that investigated sedentary behaviour, eating self-regulatory skills and weight status of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

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

“…Students that live with their family members have a high tendency to consume home-cooked meals rather than dining in at restaurants [ 23 ]. In Malaysia, the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the transition of the physical lectures in universities into virtual lectures [ 24 , 25 ]. Hence, many undergraduates may have returned to their homes and stayed with their family members.…”

Changes and correlates of screen time in adults and children during the COVID-19 pandemic: A systematic review and meta-analysis

“…In outcomes that measured gaming, 50% (1/2) of univariate correlations were statistically significant. The significant association was a negative correlation between the use of gaming consoles and self-regulation around eating (r= À0¢15; p = 0¢04), 62 and the non-significant association was 'gaming on a computer' and self-regulation around eating (r= À0¢06; p=NR). 62 Regarding cell phone use, 17% (1/6) of outcomes yielded significant associations, with increases in cell phone use being significantly associated with the consumption of sweetened foods (OR=1¢78 95%CI 1¢18 −2¢67).…”

“…Diet and smoking. Three studies 7,8,62 (yielding 29 independent outcomes) reported correlates in relation to diet and smoking, of which 35% (10/29) were statistically significant.…”

“…8 Non-significant associations were found between increases in screen time and 'pro-healthy' dietary changes, or 'self-regulation around eating'. 7 Regarding TV time, 43% (3/7) outcomes were statistically significant, including a significant negative correlation between TV time and self-regulation around eating (r= À0¢24; p = 0¢01), 62 positive associations between increased TV use and increased desire to drink (OR=1¢46 95%CI 1¢12−1¢89), 8 and increases in sweetened food consumption (OR=1¢53 95%CI 1¢12−1¢89). 8 Non-significant findings included increased TV use and alcohol consumption, increased desire to smoke, and increases in smoking.…”

Adherence to Mediterranean diet among adults during the COVID-19 outbreak and the economic crisis in Lebanon

“…Recent studies suggest that people with obesity are at increased risk of severe COVID-19 symptoms (Stefan et al , 2020; Finer et al , 2020). It is clear that eating habits and lifestyle have changed during COVID-19 lockdown (Di Renzo et al , 2020; Mohajeri et al , 2021; Tan et al , 2021a; Tan et al , 2021b) and in the midst of economic crisis in Lebanon. Nutrition is becoming an important issue because malnutrition, including obesity and nutrients deficiency, influence the COVID-19 patients’ outcomes; therefore, healthy nutritional status must be maintained by following a healthy diet (Butler and Barrientos, 2020; Hendren et al , 2021).…”