A University of Saskatchewan (USask) study has found that the COVID-19 pandemic has led to significant worsening of already poor dietary habits, low activity levels, sedentary behaviour, and high alcohol consumption among university students.
The findings of the study—the first to assess changes in students’ dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour before and during the pandemic—are published today in the journal Applied Physiology, Nutrition and Metabolism.
“Our findings are important because university students, especially those most vulnerable for poor nutrition and sedentary behaviour, should be targeted for interventions aimed at maintaining and improving physical activity and dietary practices during this pandemic and beyond,” said research lead and USask nutrition professor Dr. Gordon Zello (PhD).
The four-month study involved 125 graduate and undergraduate students at USask and the University of Regina who were the most vulnerable as they were living independently or had roommates or partners, and were responsible for buying and preparing their own meals.
Read more at University of Saskatchewan
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