COVID-19 Lockdown in South-India: Observational Study on Lifestyle Modifications, Dietary Habits and Elevation in BMI

Abstract

To investigate the lifestyle modifications caused due to the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown in the South-Indian population. Corona Virus disease became prevalent all over the world due to its wide-outbreak at the end of 2019 in Wuhan, China. In order to repress the prevailing infection, lockdown was established all over the world. In India, the lockdown was initiated on March 22 by the Government that posed a shutdown to major community services. A standard questionnaire was formulated based on the samples' anthropometric measurements, dietary habits, physical activity, sleep duration and screen time. Random samples (n=300) were involved in this study with no exclusion criteria. This observational study was conducted online, where Google Forms was used as a platform to collect the data.  Paired t test was used as means of statistical analysis in order to obtain the difference in weight and BMI before and during lockdown. For other parameters, standard deviation and diagrammatical representations such as Bar Diagrams and Pie Charts were used. Compelling evidence showed that there was an elevation in the weight and BMI among the samples. There was an escalation in the snacking frequency, screen time and sleep duration whereas there was depreciation in the physical activity which thus promoted a sedentary lifestyle during lockdown. Distinct lifestyle modifications were visible during the COVID-19 lockdown which advocated sedentary lifestyle in the South-Indian population. Interventions must be taken to prevent adverse health outcomes in the population.