Sleep and Diet Patterns During COVID-19 Pandemic Compared to Pre-Pandemic Patterns

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to look at whether the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures affected the sleeping and eating habits of college students. METHODS: College students completed a survey that asked questions about their usual sleep and diet patterns, and how these patterns have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic and containment measures. These questions were answered on a scale, so when asked about changes in usual sleep patterns, students reported either sleeping fewer hours than usual, the same amount, or more hours. Regarding healthful diet, students reported either a less healthful diet than usual, no change in diet, or a more healthful diet. Students completed the survey in the spring of 2020, shortly following the widespread closures and stay home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were analyzed using SPSS 27 software. RESULTS: One-way ANOVA showed that there was a significant difference in means of reported diet changes among groups reporting changes in amount of sleep (P = 0.008). Further, Tukey's HSD showed that the difference was that students who reported sleeping the same amount as usual were more likely to report no change in diet than students who were sleeping less than usual (P = 0.005). There was also a slight, but significant correlation observed between changes in the amount of sleep and changes in the frequency of waking up during the night (P = 0.026; r = −0.159). CONCLUSIONS: Students who did not change the amount of time they slept during the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic were more likely not to have changes in their diet either. FUNDING SOURCES: No funding was used for this research.