Assessing the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic in Jamaica: Physical Activity Participation, Weight Gain, and the Mental Health Perception

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to assess the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on physical activity (PA) participation, weight gain, and the mental health perception in Jamaica. A quantitative approach was applied using a cross-sectional survey design to collect data. The research surveyed 836 Jamaicans from all 14 parishes using a structured questionnaire via Google Forms. The research used a combined sampling method that included convenience and snowball techniques to survey participants ages 12-71 years. The results indicated that the level of PA participation during the COVID-19 pandemic was 73.3%. However, 87.2% of the respondents engaged in less than 150 minutes of PA per week, while 96.1% of the respondents participated in low intensity and short durations of PA below the recommended PA guidelines set out by the WHO as the very minimum needed to provide health benefits to people. Additionally, the government restrictions impacted eating habits and weight gain for majority of the respondents. Stress and depression were the most perceived mental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the participants.