Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Job Activity, Dietary Behaviours and Physical Activity Habits of University Population of Naples, Federico II-Italy

Mariarita Brancaccio, Cristina Mennitti, Alessandro Gentile, Luca Correale, Cosme Franklim Buzzachera, Cinzia Ferraris, Cristina Montomoli, Giulia Frisso, Paola Borrelli and Olga Scudiero
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Mariarita Brancaccio: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80121 Naples, Italy
Cristina Mennitti: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80121 Naples, Italy
Alessandro Gentile: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80121 Naples, Italy
Luca Correale: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Motor Science, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Cosme Franklim Buzzachera: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Motor Science, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Cinzia Ferraris: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Laboratory of Food Education and Sport Nutrition, University of Pavia, Via Agostino Bassi 21, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Cristina Montomoli: Department of Public Health, Experimental and Forensic Medicine, Unit of Biostatistics and Clinical Epidemiology, University of Pavia, Via Forlanini 2, 27100 Pavia, Italy
Giulia Frisso: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80121 Naples, Italy
Paola Borrelli: Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, Laboratory of Biostatistics, University G. d’Annunzio of Chieti-Pescara, Via dei Vestini 31, 66100 Chieti, Italy
Olga Scudiero: Department of Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnology, University of Naples Federico II, Via S. Pansini 5, 80121 Naples, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 4, 1-14

Abstract: Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a large family of respiratory viruses that can cause mild to moderate illness. The new variant COVID-19 has started to spread rapidly since December 2019, posing a new threat to global health. To counter the spread of the virus, the Italian government forced the population to close all activities starting from 9 March 2020 to 4 May 2020. In this scenario, we conducted a cross-sectional study on a heterogeneous sample (average age of 28 ± 12 years, 62.6% females) of the University of Naples Federico II (Italy). The aim of the study was to describe the lifestyle change in the university population during quarantine for the COVID 19 pandemic. Participants compiled an online survey consisting of 3 sections: socio-demographic data, dietary behaviours, physical activity habits and psychological aspects. The different results by gender are: 90.8% of females continued to work from home (81.9% were students); 34.8% increased their physical activity; and, only 0.8% prefer ready meals. Whereas, the same percentage of men continued to work from home (90%), but only 72.1% were students ( p < 0.001 vs. females), only 23.9% increased physical activity ( p < 0.001) and 1.7% favous ready meals. Our data shows that the male population was more affected by isolation and quarantine reporting more unfavourable behavioural changes.

Keywords: COVID-19; eating habits; physical activity; health; survey and university population (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (5)

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