The impact of the covid-19 pandemic in medical undergraduates' eating habits

ABSTRACT

Good nutrition is one of the pillars for energy and general well-being, as well as disease prevention and physical development. This article aimed to evaluate the eating habits of medical students at the University Center for the Development of Alto Vale do Itajai (UNIDAVI) which occurred between the pre-pandemic and post-pandemic periods caused by COVID-19. For the research, classes comprised between the third and eighth semesters were selected, totaling 154 students. Eating habits were assessed using the questionnaire "Markers of Food Consumption", made available by the Ministry of Health. The results showed a number of students who rated their health as good and a decrease in those who rated it as very good. There was an increase in the average consumption of lunch, afternoon snack and dinner, and a decrease in the average intake of breakfast, morning snack and supper, maintaining an average of four meals a day in both periods. Regarding the food consumed, there was an increase in the intake of fruits and vegetables, as well as hamburgers/sausages, sweetened drinks, sweets and sweets and frozen/fast food. The reduction in global intake was restricted to the alternatives of beans and snacks/biscuits. Finally, there was a decrease in the evaluation of distractions such as TV and cell phone permeating meals. In conclusion, there was a worsening in the perception of global health, an increase in general food consumption, a decrease in the frequency of morning meals and an increase in evening meals, and conservation of the average number of daily meals.