Anaswara Gopi & Anto Clare Vinson

This abstract was presented at the 9th JPEF Annual Global Diabetes Convention 2021 and had won the second prize.

     COVID-19 pandemic has brought about long-lasting restrictions on mobility outside one’s home. It has also caused a sudden shift to long hours of e-learning. All these have led to a distinct change in the way students spend their time, their dietary habits and lack of exercise. The increased food intake and lower physical activities may lead to weight gain pointing to obesity and related comorbidities like Hypertension, Dyslipidaemia, Cardiovascular disorders

A study, which assessed the changes in dietary habits and physical activity in professional college students during the Covid-19 pandemic revealed the following.

• A higher reduction of physical activity and habitual food consumption among the population during the pandemic were more pronounced.
• Around 60% had reported increased consumption of rice, oil and non-vegetarian food.
• As a result, there was higher weight gain among the population which may lead to Obesity that can give rise to lifestyle diseases like Diabetes.
• Our findings reinforce the importance of promoting a healthy lifestyle during periods of social isolation.