Nutritional status, level of physical activity and eating habits, in university students from the Maule Region during the COVID-19 pandemic period

ABSTRACT

The present study aims to determine the eating habits, nutritional status and level of physical activity in pandemic period of university students in the Maule Region. It corresponded to a descriptive, cross-sectional, non-experimental quantitative approach. The population was made up of 1.253 young adults (21.22??2.27 years) who are studying between the first and last year of undergraduate university. Two questionnaires were applied National Health Survey (Chile) and International Questionnaire of Physical Activity (IQPA). Regarding the results, it was observed that on average the entire sample increased two kilograms of body weight compared to the pre-pandemic period. Regarding the level of physical activity and in relation to the MET??S spent by both men and women, they do not reach the minimum weekly recommendations. In addition, women reported a higher prevalence of sedentary lifestyle. Students during the period of confinement as a result of the pandemic, report good eating habits, most of them have a normal nutritional status (BMI) and regarding the level of physical activity, a high percentage does not reach the minimum recommendations established by the WHO.