DIETARY SUPPLEMENT INTAKE AND HEALTH BEHAVIORS IN AN UNDERGRADUATE SAMPLE FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA DURING COVID-19

Abstract

College is a critical time when lifelong health habits are formed, which can impact their risk of developing chronic conditions later in life. The COVID-19 pandemic has altered health and lifestyle habits worldwide, and could greatly impact college students who have yet to fully establish their own health habits. The purpose of this study is to assess student perception of change in dietary supplement intake and health habits, including exercise, weight, stress, diet, and alcohol, amongst a sample of University of Arizona students. Undergraduate students (N = 231) were surveyed on their current dietary supplement use and health habits and their perceived changes in these variables due to COVID-19. Our data demonstrated that there was a perceived change in both health habits and dietary supplement intake, mainly illustrated through changes in weight, stress levels, time spent exercising, intake of vitamin C, vitamin D, multivitamins, and protein powder, and to a lesser extent, intake of high sugar food and drink and high fat food. Further research is needed to determine if these changes in health habits will impact future chronic disease risk.