Relation among Perceived Weight Change, Sedentary Activities and Sleep Quality during COVID-19 Lockdown: A Study in an Academic Community in Northern Italy

Margherita Micheletti Cremasco, Anna Mulasso, Alessia Moroni, Andrea Testa, Raffaella Degan, Alberto Rainoldi and Emanuela Rabaglietti
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Margherita Micheletti Cremasco: Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina, 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
Anna Mulasso: NeuroMuscular Function Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, P.zza Bernini, 12, 10143 Torino, Italy
Alessia Moroni: Department of Life Science and Systems Biology, University of Torino, Via Accademia Albertina, 13, 10123 Torino, Italy
Andrea Testa: School of Exercise and Sport Science, University of Torino, P.zza Bernini, 12, 10143 Torino, Italy
Raffaella Degan: Suism University Service Center in Hygiene and Sport Sciences, University of Torino, P.zza Bernini, 12, 10143 Torino, Italy
Alberto Rainoldi: NeuroMuscular Function Research Group, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Torino, P.zza Bernini, 12, 10143 Torino, Italy
Emanuela Rabaglietti: Department of Psychology, University of Torino, Via Verdi, 10, 10124 Torino, Italy

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 6, 1-14

Abstract: In Italy, COVID-19 lockdown was imposed from 8 March until 3 May 2020 with negative consequences on the lifestyles and health of people. Within this context, the paper aims: (i) to analyse the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on perceived weight changes; (ii) to evaluate factors associated with the perception of weight changes (Body Mass Index (BMI), sleep quality, time spent in sedentary activities), in an Italian academic community of students and workers. A total of 3666 participants took part in this cross-sectional study (2838 students and 828 workers, of whom 73.0% were female). T -test, Chi-square test and the two-way ANOVA were used. Results showed that 43.3% of participants perceived a weight gain. Workers experienced a more substantial increase in body weight (0.7 kg) compared to students (0.3 kg; p = 0.013). A significant difference between preobese/obese workers (0.9 kg) and students (?0.3 kg; p < 0.001) was found. Overall, 57.0% of the sample was characterized by high levels of sedentary activities. Sedentary people noticed a higher weight gain (0.4 kg) compared to less sedentary people (0.3 kg; p = 0.048). More than 45% of participants reported a worsening of sleep quality and showed a perceived increase in body weight (0.5 kg) in comparison to those who improved their sleep quality (no weight change; p = 0.001). Designing tailored interventions to promote health-related behaviours during lockdown periods is essential.

Keywords: weight changes; sedentary activities; sleep quality; COVID-19; workers; students; lifestyle; academic community; adult population; young adult 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 (3)

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