Level of knowledge, nutritional habits, use of stimulants, and physical activity during the COVID-19 epidemic among students of physiotherapy at Wroclaw Medical University

Abstract

Objectives: The COVID-19 pandemic had a huge effect around the world. The aim of this study was to determine what eating habits, physical activity, and use of stimulants were likely among physical therapy students during the outbreak.

Methods: The 16-65-ComPAN questionnaire for views and eating habits was used. The Fagerström Test was used to determine nicotine dependence, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire to gauge physical activity, and the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test to determine alcohol consumption.

Results: The results indicated a relatively high percentage of alcohol consumption among this group, as well as a relationship between an unhealthy diet and years of study and smoking. A high value of unhealthy diet and the relationship between dietary knowledge, body mass index, and healthy diet index were also found. No correlation was obtained between the effect of COVID-19 on the student's life and nutritional knowledge and habits, but the percentage of students negatively affected by COVID was high (51%).

Conclusion: The findings presented here indicate the need to take measures to increase nutritional knowledge among physiotherapy students and to take measures to reduce the use of stimulants.

Keywords: COVID-19; Coronavirus; Dietary habits; Lockdown; Nutritional knowledge; Physiotherapy students.