Isotemporal substitution analysis of time between sedentary behavior, and physical activity on sleep quality in younger adults: a multicenter study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of replacing time spent in sedentary behavior (SB) with moderate to vigorous physical activity on sleep quality in young adults. METHODS: Multicenter cross-sectional study, carried out with students enrolled in undergraduate courses at universities in Brazil. Sleep quality was assessed using a question of the World Health Organization Quality of Life (WHOQOL-brief) and classified as good or poor sleep quality. SB was evaluated by self-reported total sitting time, and the level of leisure-time PA was classified according to the intensity of moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) and vigorous-intensity physical activity (VPA), which were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. An isotemporal replacement logistic model was used to evaluate the effects of different SB, MPA, and VPA sessions on sleep quality. RESULTS: A total of 8,059 study participants were evaluated, the majority had poor sleep quality (64.79%), were physically inactive (48.28%, defined as practicing < 150 min of MPA or < 75 min of VPA per week), and spent ≥ 9 h/day in SB (55.08%). The multivariate model showed an association between non-adherence to wake-based movement guidelines and poor sleep quality, where those with one altered behavior were 43% more likely to have poor sleep quality (OR:1.43;95%CI:1.27 to 1.60), while individuals with two altered behaviors were 97% more likely (OR:1.97;95%CI:1.73 to 2.24). In the isotemporal analysis, replacing MPA and VPA with equivalent time in SB increased the odds of poor sleep at all times assessed, with peaks of 56% for MPA and 68% for VPA. CONCLUSION: The results of the present study indicate that replacing SB with the same amount of MPA or VPA may reduce poor sleep quality.

Sedentary behavior is associated with the mental health of university students during the Covid-19 pandemic, and not practicing physical activity accentuates its adverse effects: cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Movement behaviours, such as sedentary behavior (SB) and physical inactivity, have become a public health issue due to their implications for physical and mental health. The literature indicates that the university environment influences the movement behaviors of university students, and the strategies adopted during the pandemic may have favored a decrease in the practice of physical activity and an increase in the time dedicated to SB in this population. We aimed to evaluate the association of SB and moderate to vigorous leisure-time physical activity (MVPA) with presence of symptoms of mental disorders during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: This is a multicenter survey conducted with undergraduate students from eight Brazilian universities between October 2021 and February 2022 using an online questionnaire. The outcome variable was symptoms of anxiety and depression, assessed by the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. SB was assessed by total sitting time, being that individuals with ≥ 9 h/day were classified with high SB. The practice of MVPA was evaluated based on weekly frequency, duration, and type of exercise. Subsequently, the ratio between the time spent in MVPA (minutes/day) and the time spent in SB (hours/day) was calculated, being considered as cutoff point was the practice of 2.5 min of MVPA for each sedentary hour. To assess the association between the outcome and explanatory variables, multivariable logistic regression was performed. RESULTS: A total of 8,650 students participated in the study, with an average age of 23.9 years (SD: ± 6.34). In the multivariate analysis, the odds of anxiety symptoms [OR: 1.37 (95% CI: 1.24-1.50)] and depression [OR: 1.61 (95% CI: 1.47-1.77)] were higher in individuals with ≥ 9 h of SB per day. In the analysis of the relationship between MVPA and SB, not engaging in 2.5 min of MVPA per hour of SB increases the odds of anxiety symptoms [OR: 1.44 (95% CI: 1.31-1.58)] and depression [OR: 1.74 (95% CI: 1.59-1.92)]. CONCLUSION: The results suggest that SB is a risk factor associated with symptoms of anxiety and depression and that not engaging in MVPA exacerbates the negative effects of SB.

Co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors and their implications for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: a study with university students.

BACKGROUND: The university years are a critical period for young adults, as they are more exposed to obesogenic behaviors and experience stressful situations that compromise their mental health. This study aims to estimate the prevalence of anxiety and depression symptoms and evaluate the association between the combined occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted on students from a public university in Brazil during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data were collected from July to August 2020 using an online questionnaire. The outcome variables (anxiety and depression symptoms) were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). The co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors was measured based on irregular consumption of fruits and vegetables, frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, physical inactivity during leisure time, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used for the exploratory analysis. To verify the association between the outcome and explanatory variables, a directed acyclic graph model was constructed, and multivariate logistic regression was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CIs). RESULTS: A total of 1,353 students aged 18-24 years participated in this study. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were present in 46.1% and 54.6% of the participants, respectively. The most prevalent combination of obesogenic behaviors was frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, physical inactivity during leisure time, and sedentary behavior (17.2%). The greater the number of simultaneous obesogenic behaviors, the higher the chance to present symptoms of anxiety [OR: 2.81 (95%CI: 1.77-4.46)] and depression [OR: 3.46 (95%CI: 2.20-5.43)]. CONCLUSION: These findings reinforce the need to take actions to promote mental health in the university environment in conjunction with programs to promote a healthy lifestyle and improve the physical and mental well-being of students.

Assessment of the quality of life and mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

OBJECTIVE: to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and the presence of symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and stress among students in the healthcare field, in comparison to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: A comparative cross-sectional research was conducted at a Brazilian public university. QOL was assessed using the WHOQOL-bref scale, while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were evaluated using the DASS-21 scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed to compare the two time periods. RESULTS: A total of 355 students participated in this study. During the pandemic, there were significant increases in severe depression symptoms (15.1% versus 24.8%), moderate anxiety (18.3% versus 29.4%), and moderate stress (40.9% versus 53.8%) observed among the participants. Additionally, a significant reduction in QOL was noted, particularly in the domain of social relationships (65.2 versus 59.6, p-value 0.029). CONCLUSION: The study highlights a deterioration in both the quality of life and the mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Age, skin color, self-rated health, and depression associated with co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors in university students: a cross-sectional study

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Assessment of the quality of life and mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic / Evaluación de la calidad de vida y la salud mental de estudiantes de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19 / Avaliação da qualidade de vida e saúde mental de estudantes da saúde durante a pandemia de COVID-19

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and the presence of symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and stress among students in the healthcare field, in comparison to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional research was conducted at a Brazilian public university. QOL was assessed using the WHOQOL-bref scale, while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were evaluated using the DASS-21 scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed to compare the two time periods. Results: A total of 355 students participated in this study. During the pandemic, there were significant increases in severe depression symptoms (15.1% versus 24.8%), moderate anxiety (18.3% versus 29.4%), and moderate stress (40.9% versus 53.8%) observed among the participants. Additionally, a significant reduction in QOL was noted, particularly in the domain of social relationships (65.2 versus 59.6, p-value 0.029). Conclusion: The study highlights a deterioration in both the quality of life and the mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida (CV) y la presencia de síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes del área de la salud, en comparación con el período previo a la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Investigación transversal comparativa realizada en una universidad pública brasileña. La CV se evaluó utilizando la escala WHOQOL-bref, mientras que los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés se evaluaron utilizando la escala DASS-21. Se emplearon análisis descriptivos e inferenciales para comparar los dos períodos. Resultados: Un total de 355 estudiantes participaron en este estudio. Durante la pandemia, se observaron aumentos significativos en los síntomas de depresión grave (15,1% versus 24,8%), ansiedad moderada (18,3% versus 29,4%) y estrés moderado (40,9% versus 53,8%) entre los participantes. Además, hubo una reducción significativa en la CV, especialmente en el ámbito de las relaciones sociales (65,2 versus 59,6, valor de p 0,029). Conclusión: Se evidenció un deterioro en tanto la calidad de vida como la salud mental de los estudiantes de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) e a presença de sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em estudantes da área da saúde, em comparação ao período anterior à pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Pesquisa transversal comparativa em uma universidade pública brasileira. A QV foi avaliada por meio da escala WHOQOL-bref, enquanto os sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse foram avaliados usando a escala DASS-21. Foram empregadas análises descritivas e inferenciais para comparar os dois períodos. Resultados: Um total de 355 estudantes participaram deste estudo. Durante a pandemia, foram observados aumentos significantes nos sintomas de depressão grave (15,1% versus 24,8%), ansiedade moderada (18,3% versus 29,4%) e estresse moderado (40,9% versus 53,8%) entre os participantes. Além disso, houve uma redução significativa na QV, especialmente no domínio das relações sociais (65,2 versus 59,6, p-valor 0,029). Conclusão: Evidenciou-se piora da QV e da saúde mental dos estudantes da saúde durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

Age, skin color, self-rated health, and depression associated with co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors in university students: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING: This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson's chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.

Práticas alimentares de estudantes universitários da área da saúde, de acordo com as recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira / Food practices of health university students according to the recommendations of the Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian Population

Introdução: As práticas alimentares dos indivíduos são influenciadas pelo ambiente em que eles estão inseridos. Estudantes universitários, ao ingressarem no ensino superior, podem modificar seus hábitos alimentares em função de novos comportamentos e relações sociais que se estabelecem nesta nova fase da vida. Objetivo: Avaliar as práticas alimentares de estudantes universitários ingressantes no 1º semestre dos cursos da área da saúde de uma instituição federal de ensino superior, de acordo com as recomendações do Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira. Métodos: Estudo transversal com estudantes universitários dos cursos de graduação da área da saúde de uma instituição pública do ensino superior. As práticas alimentares foram obtidas através da escala desenvolvida e validada por Gabe e Jaime (2019). Foram avaliadas as características sociodemográficas, hábitos de vida e condições de saúde. A análise dos dados compreendeu distribuição de frequência e análise bivariada. Resultados: Foram entrevistados 148 estudantes, dos quais 58,1% eram mulheres, 61,5% tinham 20 anos ou menos, com idade variando de 18 a 31 anos. Práticas alimentares inadequadas foram observadas em 23,7% dos estudantes, 52,0% mostraram práticas de risco e 24,3%, adequadas. O somatório das categorias de risco e inadequação foi representado por 75,7% dos estudantes. Homens apresentaram maior frequência de práticas alimentares de risco (64,5%) e mulheres, maior frequência de práticas alimentares inadequadas (29,1%) (p=0,033). Conclusão: Observou-se alta frequência (75,7%) de práticas alimentares inadequadas no público estudado. Ao comparar as variáveis explicativas com as práticas alimentares, observou-se associação positiva entre o sexo e as práticas alimentares dos estudantes. (AU)

Introduction: Dietary practices are influenced by the environment. When entering higher education, university students may change their eating habits by developing new behaviors and social relationships in this new phase of life. Objective: To evaluate the dietary practices of first-semester university students enrolled health sciences courses at a federal institution of higher education, according to the recommendations of the Guia Alimentar para a População Brasileira [Dietary Guidelines for the Brazilian population]. Methods: Cross-sectional study with university students from health sciences courses of a public institution of higher education. Dietary practices were assessed using the scale developed and validated by Gabe and Jaime (2019). Sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle and health status were assessed. Data analysis comprised frequency distribution and bivariate analysis. Results: In total, 148 students were interviewed, of whom 58.1% were women, and 61.5% were 20 years of age or younger, with ages ranging from 18 to 31 years. Inadequate dietary practices were observed in 23.7% students, 52.0% showed risky practices and 24.3% adequate practices. The sum of the risk and inadequacy categories was represented by 75.7% students. Men had a higher frequency of risky dietary practices (64.5%), and women had a higher frequency of inadequate dietary practices (29.1%) (p = 0.033). Conclusion: A high frequency (75.7%) of inadequate dietary practices was observed in the university students. The comparison between explanatory variables and dietary practices showed a positive association between the sex and dietary practices of the students. (AU)