Eating habits and lifestyle changes among higher studies students post-lockdown in Bangladesh: A web-based cross-sectional study

17, August 2021 |

Authors:

Abstract

Background: The Coronavirus is still exhibiting cases in Bangladesh thus educational institutes are still ceased over one year, it becomes burdens to students at post lockdown period. Objectives: Identifying the changes in eating habits and lifestyles including, physical activity, sleeping hours, and sleep quality after the cancellation of lockdown than the period of restrictions. Methods: A quasi-experimental cross-sectional study was conducted among 394 students in Bangladesh using a structured questionnaire from February 3, 2021, to February 13, 2021. Results: Consuming homemade foods drops by 8.63% at post lockdown than lockdown period. At post lockdown, 26.67% of students gained weight whereas 47.46% of respondents never engaged in any physical works. There has been a significant correlation between weight gain and physical activities (p 1⁄4 0.007). Not continuing the academic activities from home was significantly associated with weight changes (AOR 1⁄4 1.73; 95% CI: 1.01, 2.95), meals per day (AOR 1⁄4 3.25; 95% CI: 1.79, 5.92), screen time for entertainment (AOR 1⁄4 3.08; 95% CI: 1.78, 5.33), sleeping hours (AOR 1⁄4 2.23; 95% CI: 1.30, 3.83), and sleep quality (AOR 1⁄4 2.38; 95% CI: 1.35, 4.23) whereas female gender was related to meals per day (AOR 1⁄4 1.77; 95% CI: 1.06, 2.95) and sleep quality (AOR 1⁄4 1.76; 95% CI: 1.09, 2.85). However, 43.91% of respondents never felt any sleep disturbances. The rates of stu- dents who always experienced mentally tired, resentment, and sadness at post lockdown was lower than lock- down period. All of these changes were significant (p < 0.000) in terms of the lockdown situation. Conclusions: This study shows notable changes in eating habits and lifestyles after lockdown which may indicate the tendency to adopt normal life than restrictions.