College students report less physical activity and more sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

Jaclyn Dziewior; Lucas J. Carr; Gary L. Pierce; Kara Whitaker

doi:10.1080/07448481.2022.2100708

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College students report less physical activity and more sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

Journal article

Peer reviewed

College students report less physical activity and more sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic

Jaclyn Dziewior, Lucas J. Carr, Gary L. Pierce and Kara Whitaker

Journal of American college health, Vol.72(7), pp.2022-2030

09/2024

DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2100708

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Abstract

Objective: To understand the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on college students' movement behaviors. Participants: College students attending a large Midwestern university during the pandemic. Methods: The Activity Questionnaire for Adults and Adolescents estimated physical activity and sedentary time before, early, and later in the pandemic. Barriers and facilitators to physical activity were assessed at early and later timepoints. Open-ended questions examined additional impacts. Results: Comparing before vs. early/later pandemic assessments, respondents (n = 230, 82% female, 21 ± 5 years) reported a significant decrease in physical activity metabolic equivalent (MET)-minutes/week (7891 ± 7340 vs. 5550 ± 6410/5953 ± 5180) and a significant increase in sedentary MET-minutes/week (1330 ± 1570 vs. 2415 ± 1770/1767 ± 1652). The top barrier was schoolwork (47.7%). The top facilitator was social support (21.5%). Responses to open-ended questions indicated that most individuals reported sitting more during the pandemic, with variation in physical activity patterns. Conclusions: Adverse changes in physical activity and sedentary behavior observed early in the pandemic were sustained.

COVID-19

MVPA

sitting

university

Details

Title: Subtitle: College students report less physical activity and more sedentary behavior during the COVID-19 pandemic
Creators: Jaclyn Dziewior - University of Iowa
Lucas J. Carr - University of Iowa
Gary L. Pierce - University of Iowa
Kara Whitaker - University of Iowa
Resource Type: Journal article
Publication Details: Journal of American college health, Vol.72(7), pp.2022-2030
DOI: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2100708
ISSN: 0744-8481
eISSN: 1940-3208
Publisher: Taylor & Francis
Language: English
Electronic publication date: 07/11/2022
Date published: 09/2024
Academic Unit: Epidemiology; Fraternal Order of Eagles Diabetes Research Center; Health, Sport, and Human Physiology ; Internal Medicine
Record Identifier: 9984277453202771

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