University students in Saskatchewan who were surveyed over four months say the isolation of the COVID-19 pandemic has led to worsening of already poor dietary habits, low activity levels, sedentary behavior and high alcohol consumption.
There were 125 graduate and undergraduate students who were surveyed at the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina.
Survey creators say the study began just as Saskatchewan was imposing pandemic restrictions so details of what students were eating prior to the pandemic as well as during, were fresh in their minds.
The study found students consumed 20 per cent less meat, 44 per cent less diary and 45 per cent fewer vegetables. While they also drank considerably less tea and coffee, their alcohol consumption increased significantly. And while only 16 per cent of participants were meeting Canadian guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate to intense physical activity per week before the pandemic, that further decreased to 9.6 per cent during the pandemic.
Study creators suggest distress has been linked to poor diet quality, particularly increased consumption of alcohol. As well, students could be eating less to offset their lack of exercise and increased sedentariness.