OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of sex, grade, and age on the lifestyle changes of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic and to consider measures to restore their altered lifestyle habits.
METHOD: A questionnaire survey on lifestyle changes caused by the COVID-19 epidemic was conducted among 320 first- to sixth-year students in the Department of Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Hiroshima University in fiscal year 2020, between November 2020 and February 2021.
RESULTS: Female students were more restricted in their personal interactions and outings than male students. Although there were some changes in lifestyle depending on grade level over the school year, these changes were not problematic. Financial deprivation and weight gain were observed among older students.
CONCLUSION: Opportunities for personal interaction and outings, and psychiatric help are especially necessary for female students. As older students are more likely to be isolated and less likely to receive financial assistance from their parents, it might be desirable to improve the tutoring system to connect students in need with appropriate assistance.