Impact of COVID-19 Lockdown on Mental Health, Physical Activity, and Eating Behaviours Among IT Professionals in India

Abstract

Governments took preventive measures like lockdown to curb the spread of the global COVID-19 pandemic, which affected mental health of many, their eating behaviours, and physical activity. This study focused on evaluating the impact of the COVID-19 lockdown on these aspects among IT professionals considering their change in working patterns. This was a web-based cross-sectional study conducted in Pune city. A total of 103 participants participated in the study by completing an online structured questionnaire shared through various social media platforms. Information regarding their vitals, physical activity, and eating behaviour was collected. The DASS-21 scale was used to assess mental health. The prevalence of stress, anxiety, and depression among IT professionals was found as 20.4 %, 44.7 %, and 35.9 %, respectively. Based on their BMI, the majority of the population was obese (63 %), and almost 57 % thought their body weight had increased during the lockdown. Participants doing any kind of physical activity significantly dropped down during the lockdown as compared to the pre-lockdown phase (p < 0.001). Stress levels were significantly higher among the obese participants (p < 0.01). Anxiety was observed to be significantly higher among the 20 to 34 year-old male participants (p < 0.05). Ready-to-eat snacks, instant noodles and easy to cook foods, Indian sweets, and confectionery showed a significant positive correlation with high levels of stress, anxiety, and depression (p < 0.05). Thus, a negative impact of COVID-19 and a subsequent lockdown was observed on the mental health and eating patterns among IT professionals.