Lifestyle Changes During COVID-19 of University Staff in Indonesia: A Cross-Sectional Survey

Abstract

Among the lecturers and staff at the university are experiencing stress disorders, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. We aimed to determine the prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors, physical activity, and dietary adherence among lectures and staff associated with the national survey. A cross-sectional study with a web-based questionnaire presented anonymous demographic data, cardiovascular risk factors, physical activity, dietary intake, and healthy lifestyle barriers. A total of 1,862 lecturers and staff who met the following criteria for participation, having reached the age of majority at 25, were accepted into the study, gave informed consent online, and responded to a survey. BMI in the staff and lecturers group was overweight and obese, slightly lower for lecturers (25.9 kg/m2) compared to staff (27.4 kg/m2) with adjustments for age and gender. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in the prevalence of obesity between staff and faculty regardless of age or gender. The short IPAQ questionnaire revealed that around 68.7% of lecturers did PA category 2 or 3 and 28.3% of lecturers did PA category 3. Muscle strengthening exercises were carried out in each group by 24.5% of lecturers and 21.4% of staff. Lecturers (74.2%) feel responsible for their health. Most of the participants expressed that their working hours prevented them from staying fit. Physical activity and low intake of vegetables and fruits due to lack of managerial support, fitness facilities, and long working hours are obstacles to a healthy lifestyle. Very few lecturers and staff can follow an active lifestyle every day of the week and tend to engage in physical activity for longer periods within days or regulate food intake during the COVID-19 pandemic.