Changes in lifestyle behaviour and dietary patterns among Iranian medical students during COVID-19 lockdown

The COVID-19 pandemic has affected many aspects of human life, including physical and mental health. The public health measures to prevent COVID-19 transmission led to social isolation, physical inactivity, anxiety, depression, sleep disorders, obesity, and consumption of unhealthy food.

To evaluate changes in lifestyle behaviour during the fifth wave of COVID-19 in Iranian medical students.

This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. In September 2021, an online questionnaire containing 32 questions was administered to 1143 medical students in Teheran universities. Some 286 completed copies of the questionnaire were excluded because of incomplete answers. Descriptive statistics of central tendency measures and dispersion were used and independent t-test and a Chi-square test between two variables were conducted. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 24.

A total of 462 (53.9%) students had COVID-19 during the fifth wave of the disease, 657 (76.7%) were deprived of social and sports activities, and 278 (32.4%) had difficulty completing their academic studies. Students who took vitamin supplements experienced lower levels of stress and 711 (83.0%) reported bodyweight change. There were significant relationships between bodyweight change, stress level and hospitalization due to COVID-19. There was a significant relationship between smoking, bodyweight change and hospitalization rate. A total of 426 (50.3%) students did not have a regular sleep-wake pattern, 701 (81.8%) spent more time using social media, 197 (23.0%) consumed more fast food, and 674 (78.6%) experienced stress or anxiety.

There was an increased tendency towards unhealthy lifestyle among medical students in Tehran during COVID-19 lockdown. These findings can be useful in assessing lifestyle behaviours among students and in planning for improvements.