ABSTRACT
The current study aimed to evaluate the Italian university students' lifestyle during the COVID-19 pandemic, considering the degree courses, chronotype, and sex. Five-hundred thirty-three participants (21.46 ±0.18 yrs, 335 females) filled out: Godin-Shephard Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (GSL-TPAQ), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED), Reduced Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire (rMEQ) to assess physical activity, sleep, nutrition and chronotype. Use of electronic devices, smoking, and drinking habits were also evaluated. Sports science students were more active (60.92 ±2.96), slept better (4.40 ±0.15), showed greater Mediterranean diet adherence (5.98 ±0.31), and smoked less (smokers: 14.5%) than nursing students (GSL-TPAQ: 38.62 ±2.92, PSQI: 5.29 ±0.18, KIDMED: 4.23 ±0.33, smokers: 27.9%). They displayed a higher percentage of beer drinkers (40% vs. 28.7%) and lower use of electronic devices (5.92 ±0.17 vs. 9.07 ±1.17). Evening-type students showed worse sleep (5.96 ±0.30) and lower Mediterranean diet adherence (4.32 ±0.52) than Neither- (PSQI: 4.58 ±0.13, KIDMED: 5.13 ±0.28) and Morning-types (PSQI: 4.33 ±0.33, KIDMED: 6.71 ±0.64). Evening-types also showed a higher percentage of smokers (29.9%) and drinkers (beer: 53.3%, wine: 45.8%, alcohol: 40.2%) than Neither- (smokers: 20.3%, beer: 31.4%, wine: 31.4%, alcohol: 23.5%) and Morning-types (smokers: 8.9%, beer: 19.6%, wine: 19.6%, alcohol: 8.9%). Evening-type males used electronic devices longer (9.10 ±3.05) than females (6.71 ±0.41). Females showed fewer drinkers (beer: 26.6%, wine: 29.6%) than males (beer: 49.0%, wine: 38.9%). Maintaining a correct lifestyle even in this unusual condition is essential, in particular among the Evening-type students.
ABSTRACT
During the COVID-19 lockdown, lifestyle deterioration had a negative impact on weight, and yet no study has focused on patients already undergoing dietary therapy. We performed a cohort study among adults to evaluate the effect of lockdown on weight loss programs, and we investigated changes in eating habits and chronotype. We matched confined cases with non-confined cases among individuals who followed the same diet in 2017-2019. At baseline, all patients underwent a clinical examination and completed questionnaires on lifestyle. At follow-up, patients of the confined group were interviewed by a web call, and questionnaires were re-evaluated. We recruited 61 patients. The confined sample was mainly composed of middle-aged (52 (43,58) years) females (46 (75%)) with overweight (27 (44%)) or obesity (24 (39%)) and a moderate physical activity level (48 (81%)). Body weight at follow-up was significantly higher (1.1 (95% CI: 0.14, 2.1) kg) in the confined group adjusting for all matching variables. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet and eating behavior generally improved. Concerning chronotype, patients differentiated from Neither-types to Evening- and Morning-types. A well-monitored dietary therapy maintains weight loss during lockdown. Improvement in eating habits was observed; however, a shift of the circadian typology occurred.