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

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.

Composition and Nutritional Quality of the Diet in Spanish Households during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Some of them observed an increase in the consumption of healthy foods and in home cooking practices, and a lower consumption of foods of poor nutritional value [ 7 , 9 ], while others found that, during lockdown, diet was characterized by a higher energy intake and lower nutritional quality than in 2019 [ 10 ]. Changes in eating habits were also observed in other European countries, such as Italy [ 11 , 12 , 13 ], Poland [ 14 , 15 ], Denmark [ 16 ], Germany, Slovenia [ 8 ], Ireland and Great Britain [ 17 ]. Although the reasons for these changes are still not fully understood, some authors have suggested that personal characteristics may modulate them, shaping different patterns of change [ 18 , 19 ].…”

Antimicrobial Peptides and Physical Activity: A Great Hope against COVID 19

“…Furthermore, when physical activity is supported by proper nutrition, it can be a shield against the onset of infections and diseases [ 19 , 20 ].…”

“…In addition, it is well known that controlled physical activity and adequate nutrition can represent a natural defense of the body; in this case, both physical activity and nutrition can support the immune system, improving its efficiency and defending the body from external attacks [ 17 , 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. In fact, previous studies [ 9 ] have shown that competitive athletes have high serum levels of α and β defensins guaranteeing protection from any pathogenic microorganisms [ 10 ].…”

Underlying the triple burden effects on women educationists due to COVID-19

“…The corona-virus outbreak has affected the world lifestyle for both childhood and adulthood (Dunton et al, 2020;Shaukat et al, 2020), resulting in the sedentary lifestyle of the world population (Chen et al, 2020). Corona-virus spread measures followed by various governments includes social distancing, lockdowns, isolation, or quarantine for infected people have brought significant changes in the habits of workers and students (Brancaccio et al, 2021). Institutions active in all segments have changed their policies and working culture.…”