No abstract

Background: The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has promoted changes in lifestyle behaviors, such as food consumption, sleep, and physical activity (PA). Few longitudinal studies have investigated these changes in young adults. Aim: This study aimed to assess lifestyle behaviors before and during the COVID-19 pandemic in young adult males. Methods: 50 young adult males (18–35 years) recruited by posters and social media in Florianopolis, Brazil, provided data on food consumption, PA, and sleep in 2018–2019 (baseline) and during the pandemic in 2020 (follow-up). PA and sleep variables were assessed through self-reported questionnaires. Food records were used to evaluate food consumption. Weight was measured using Bioelectrical impedance analysis at baseline and using self-reported at follow-up. Multilevel linear regression models and generalized linear multilevel were used to test differences between baseline and follow-up. Results: The findings indicated significant changes at follow-up, compared to baseline. Decreased consumption of total fat (β = −13.32, 95% CI (−22.45; −4.18), p < 0.01), sodium (β = −1330.72, 95% CI (−1790.63; −870.82), p < 0.01), cholesterol (β = −212.99, 95% CI (−269.8; −156.18), p < 0.01), total sugars (β = −65.12, 95% CI (−80.94; −49.29), p < 0.01), alcohol, and sugar-sweetened beverage were observed. Despite that, a slight increase in weight was also observed (80.70 ± 16.37 kg vs. 82.99 ± 15.42 kg, p = 0.000748). Sleep duration increased (β = 0.7596, 95% CI (0.41; 1.11), p < 0.01), and occupational PA decreased (β = −1168.1, 95% CI (−1422.33; −913.83), p < 0.01), while domestic (β = 394.04, 95%CI (114.68; 673.39, p < 0.01)) and leisure PA (β = 499.91, 95% CI (245.28; 754.53), p < 0.01) increased. Conclusion: Our results suggest that social distancing policies positively impacted eating habits, sleep, and PA patterns. These changes are possibly linked to increased awareness of the need for a healthy lifestyle.

Objective To assess the association of socioeconomic factors, characteristics of the academic trajectory, and curriculum of students of a Nutrition course in the academic performance in the Exame Nacional de Desempenho dos Estudantes. Methods A study of cross-sectional panels with secondary data (Exame Nacional de Desempenho dos Estudantes 2004, 2007, 2010, 2013, 2016, and 2019) of 174 graduating students was carried out. Academic performance was classified into two groups, one with a score below the median and another above the median. The differences in median scores according to the variables were tested using the Mann-Whitney, Kruskal-Wallis, or non-parametric trend analysis. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of the score variable with the other variables. The analyses were carried out using the Stata version 13.0 program, using a value of p<0.05 for the statistical decision. Results It was observed that the profile of graduating students was composed mainly of female individuals (92.5%), self-declared white (90.8%), and mostly coming from private schools (65.8%). Those who had some type of income obtained a higher score in Exame Nacional de Desempenho dos Estudantes compared to those who did not have an income (61.8 vs. 57.4, respectively, p=0.010), and the curricular change seems to be the main variable in the chances of obtaining a score above the median of the course (OR: 1.92, p=0.046). Conclusion Financial status and curriculum change were associated with the academic performance of the assessed students. These results can be used as a reference for investigations in other institutions, public or private, of different courses and, thus, assist in planning more effective educational policies.

No abstract