Covid-19 Pandemisinin Üniversite Çalışanlarının Beslenme Alışkanlıkları ve Fiziksel Aktivite Düzeylerine Etkisinin Saptanması

Abstract

Atlı, K., Determination Effect of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Nutritional Habits and Physical Activity Levels of University Staff, Hacettepe University, Graduate School of Health Sciences, Dietetics Program, Master Thesis, Ankara, 2023 The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the nutritional habits and physical activity levels of university employees. The sample of the study consists of 211 volunteers, 54 male, and 157 female, between the ages of 22-65 years old working at universities in Turkey. The questionnaire used includes 4 sections general information, food preparation status during the pandemic period, nutritional habits, and physical activity levels. Body weight and height information were obtained with the self-report of individuals. During the pandemic confinements and in the ordinary period, the information about the portion amounts of the foods consumed by the individuals daily was obtained and the energy and other nutrient intakes were calculated, and the situation of the meeting the needs were evaluated. The physical activity level was calculated for the pandemic confinement and the ordinary period. While consuming 3 main meals in the usual period for women and all individuals, it was reduced to 2 main meals in pandemic confinement (p<0.05). Snacks consumption individuals increased with pandemic confinement (p<0.05). Individuals whose dietary habits were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic reported that their body weight increased at a high rate (69.7%) (p<0.05). It was determined that the average daily portion amount of food in all food groups during the pandemic confinement period was higher than the consumption during the usual period (p<0.05). During the pandemic confinement, daily energy and nutrient intakes and consumption of water, tea and coffee increased (p<0.05). During the pandemic restrictions period, the time spent on sleeping and lying down was significantly higher (p<0.05). As a result, with the COVID-19 pandemic, the nutritional habits of individuals have changed, food consumption has increased and physical activity levels have decreased. In order to protect health and reduce nutrition-related diseases, individuals should be encouraged to increase the level of adequate-balanced nutrition and physical activity for all conditions, and plans and policies should be developed in this regard.