Physical Activity, Sedentary Behavior, and Weight Status of University Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown: A Cross-National Comparative Study

Abstract

The temporary closure of learning institutions during the COVID-19 pandemic has dramatically reduced the physical activity of students across all ages. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of physical inactivity and the patterns of physical activity among university students in confinement. This cross-sectional study involved 147 Malaysian students and 107 Indonesian students. Body weight before the pandemic and during the pandemic was self-reported by the respondents, and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF) was used to assess the physical activity and sedentary behavior of the respondents. The findings revealed that 79.6% of Malaysians and 77.6% of Indonesians were physically active during the confinement. There was no significant difference (p < 0.05) in the duration devoted to vigorous-intensity activity (MMalaysian = 0.00 MET minutes/week and MIndonesian = 480.00 MET minutes/week) and moderate-intensity activity (MMalaysian = 0.00 MET minutes/week and MIndonesian = 0.00 MET minutes/week) among the studied population. During the pandemic, Malaysian students (M = 1386.00 MET minutes/week) devoted a significantly higher duration to walking (M = 1386.00 MET minutes/week) and sedentary behavior (9.16 ± 4.47 h/day) than Indonesian students (M = 990.00 MET minutes/week and sedentary behavior = 7.85 ± 4.27 h/day). Overall, no significant difference was noted in the total physical activity of Malaysian and Indonesian students during the pandemic (MMalaysian = 2826.00 MET minutes/week and MIndonesian = 1782.00 MET minutes/week). Findings from Spearman’s rank correlation test suggested that there was a weak inverse correlation between the duration engaged in vigorous-intensity activity and weight change among the Malaysian students (rs = −0.199, p = 0.016), after adjusting for gender and age. Overall, the closure of learning institutions and exercise facilities has further prevented individuals from complying with the WHO recommendation of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during the period of home confinement.

The Impact of Online Learning on Physical and Mental Health in University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…As the COVID-19 pandemic may significantly change our health behaviors [ 32 ], this study specifically identified that university students’ physical activity levels were more affected during the online learning period. While previous studies have shown that 64.6–79.6% of university students could maintain a level of health-enhanced physical activity during lockdown [ 33 , 34 ], there were only 24% of Taiwanese students in this study who could accumulate at least 150 min of MVPA per week during the online learning period. Furthermore, consistent with a recent systematic review showing a reduction in physical activity in university students during lockdown [ 13 ], our participants were significantly physically inactive and only engaged in physical activity for less than 50% of the time that they previously spent during the in-class learning period.…”

Eating Behaviors among Online Learning Undergraduates during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Students that live with their family members have a high tendency to consume home-cooked meals rather than dining in at restaurants [ 23 ]. In Malaysia, the COVID-19 outbreak resulted in the transition of the physical lectures in universities into virtual lectures [ 24 , 25 ]. Hence, many undergraduates may have returned to their homes and stayed with their family members.…”

Gender Differences in the Associations Between Physical Activity, Smartphone Use, and Weight Stigma

“…Moreover, the COVID-19 pandemic has indirectly increased sedentary behaviors among students given that they have been required to study online instead of studying in a physical classroom ( 34 , 35 ). In other words, university students have been forced into sedentary lifestyles because of COVID-19.…”