Worse exercise habits and diminished body image perception in college students, is COVID-19 to blame?

Abstract

Early reports during the COVID-19 pandemic suggested that the public health safety measures associated with COVID-19 were creating negative consequences on individual’s physical and mental health (Huckins et al., 2020; Salazar de Pablo et al., 2020). These public health safety measures, including campus facility closures and limited capacities coupled with indoor mask-mandates, potentially influenced post-secondary students’ ability and/or willingness to participate in physical activity (PA). The purpose of this study was to explore the possible impact that COVID-19 had on body image perceptions among these students considering the predicted decrease in physical activity participation among the population. This study was descriptive and cross-sectional in nature and used convenience sampling. The Anderson Pandemic-Related Impacts Survey was created and distributed through Qualtrics software after receiving an IRB exempt approval. Data from this study revealed an initial decrease in post-secondary students’ level of PA directly after the start of the pandemic from self-reported levels pre-pandemic. Because of campus recreational facility changes during this time, most students also felt it was unfair to be charged the mandatory university recreation fee despite being unable to utilize the recreation center during lockdowns or at limited capacities upon reopening. Furthermore, many students reported a decline in their own body image perceptions. The results from this study reveal a need to support and educate students in an attempt for both the university and student to be better prepared in future events.