Prevalence and Predictors of Food Insecurity among Students of a Spanish University during the COVID-19 Pandemic: FINESCOP Project at the UPV/EHU.

Research related to food insecurity (FI) among European university student populations is currently limited, especially the studies carried out during the COVID-19 pandemic. The present study aimed to assess the prevalence and identify possible predictors of FI among students from a Spanish public university, the University of the Basque Country UPV/EHU, during the COVID-19 pandemic. A cross-sectional observational study design was used, in which a total of 422 students completed an online survey. Results were weighted according to age and field of education. Binary logistic regressions adjusted by sex, age, and campus were applied to identify FI predictors. FI in 19.6, 2.6, and 0.7% of the population was mild, moderate, and severe, respectively. The three main predictors of FI were a decrease in the main source of income (OR, 2.80; 95% IC, 2.57-3.06), not receiving scholarships during the pandemic (OR, 2.32; 95% IC, 2.18-2.47), and living arrangements before the pandemic (not living with parents/relatives) (OR, 2.03, 95% IC, 1.89-2.18). This study found a high prevalence of FI among the students surveyed, and the strongest predictors of this FI were related to socioeconomic status. A robust and comprehensive policy response is recommended to mitigate FI in this population.

On-campus food purchase behaviors, choice determinants, and opinions on food availability in a Spanish university community.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate food purchasing behaviors, choice determinants, and opinions about on-campus food availability by a university community and to analyze differences in these aspects between students, education and/or research staff (ERS), and administrative and services staff (ASS), and between males and females. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study that involved a representative sample of students (n = 1089), ERS (n = 396), and ASS (n = 300) who completed an anonymous online survey. A previously adapted version of the questionnaire was administered. The results were weighted to ensure representativeness of this community population using weighted coefficients. RESULTS: The results showed that most of the participants purchased food on campus (91.6%), especially for lunch (67.4% of foods and 37.4% of drinks) and snack (65.4% of foods and 45.4% of drinks). Hot drinks (i.e., coffee, tea, hot chocolate etc.; 60.5%), bottled water (49.2%), and hot foods (i.e., small servings [38.2%] and sandwiches/hamburgers [31.7%]) were the most purchased items. Taste (98.6%) was the most important determinant in choice, followed by price for students, nutritional value for ASS, and health value for ERS. The "top 5" opinions suggested for the campus food environment and potential changes were "greater capacity to access free filtered drinking water", "greater capacity to recycle food packaging," "more healthy options in vending machines", "discounts for healthy choices," and "allergen labeling." CONCLUSION: Interventions that improve sustainability and the affordability of products with high nutritional quality, price-manipulation directives, and allergen information on labeling would be well received among this community.

Nutritional quality and carbon footprint of university students' diets: results from the EHU12/24 study.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate diets in terms of nutritional characteristics and quality from the perspectives of health, greenhouse gas emissions (GHGE) and possible associations with each other in a representative sample of students at a public university. DESIGN: Cross-sectional. Dietary intake was evaluated with a validated FFQ, and diet quality was assessed through the Healthy Eating Index (HEI-2010) and MedDietScore (MDS). GHGE data were obtained from the literature. In addition, sex, socio-economic status (SES) and body fat (BF) status were analysed as covariates. SETTING: Basque Autonomous Community, Spain. PARTICIPANTS: Totally, 26 165 healthy adults aged 18-28 years. RESULTS: Student diets were characterised by low consumption of carbohydrates (38·72 % of total energy intake (TEI)) and a high intake of lipids (39·08 % of TEI). Over half of the participants had low dietary quality. The low-emitting diets were more likely to be consumed by subjects with low HEI-2010 scores (ß: 0·039 kg eCO2/1000 kcal/d) and high MDS scores (ß: -0·023 kg eCO2/1000 kcal/d), after controlling for sex, SES and BF status. Both the low-emitting and healthy diets were more likely to be consumed by women and by those with normal BF percentage. CONCLUSIONS: UPV/EHU university students' diets were characterised by moderate quality from a nutritional perspective and moderate variation in the size of carbon footprints. In this population, diets of the highest quality were not always those with the lowest diet-related GHGE; this relationship depended in part on the constructs and scoring criteria of diet quality indices used.

Risk factors of overweight/obesity-related lifestyles in university students: Results from the EHU12/24 study.

This paper investigates the prevalence and interaction of overweight/obesity-related lifestyles (specifically, examining whether subjects meet the recommended criteria), in a representative sample of university students. This study is part of the project EHU12/24, an observational cross-sectional study, designed to assess the prevalence of excess body fat (BF) and major risk of developing overweight/obesity, according to a standardised protocol. In a cohort of 603 students, aged between 18 and 28 years, of the University of the Basque Country, information about meal patterns, diet quality, physical activity, sitting time, sleeping time, toxic habits and anthropometric measurements were collected. Sampling took place from February 2014 to May 2017. Binary logistic regression models adjusted for the covariates were utilised to test the association between lifestyles and risk of excess adiposity. The prevalence of overweight/obesity, according to BF percentage, was 14·4 %. The variables analysed related to meal pattern were associated with diet quality, and less healthy food habits were associated with other less health-related behaviours. Among men, moderate/low physical activity, breakfast skipping, non-adequate breakfast duration, number of eating occasions and eating breakfast alone/depending on the occasion were associated with excess BF, while among women, low MedDietScore, moderate/high alcohol consumption, non-adequate sleep duration, eating breakfast and lunch alone/depending on the occasion. Results suggest that certain unhealthy lifestyle behaviours coexist, interact with one another and increase the risk of overweight/obesity in this population. Sex-specific differences in risk factors of obesity have implications for interventions for primary prevention of obesity within this environment.

Influencia de la práctica físico-deportiva sobre indicadores antropométricos y la satisfacción con el peso en hombres estudiantes universitarios: estudio piloto / Influence of sport practice and physical exercise on anthropometric indicators and weight satisfaction in men university students: a pilot study

Introducción: Los jóvenes universitarios presentan en general niveles bajos de actividad física, lo que podría repercutir en su peso y composición corporal y en el conocimiento y aceptación de su propio cuerpo. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de peso y la composición corporal, así como la autopercepción y satisfacción con el peso corporal en universitarios, y analizar la influencia de la actividad físico-deportiva sobre estas variables. Métodos: La muestra estuvo formada por 62 estudiantes varones con una edad media de 20,7+/-1,7 años. La práctica de deporte y/o ejercicio físico en el tiempo libre se analizó mediante cuestionario. El estado de peso y la composición corporal se evaluaron mediante antropometría. También se registraron datos de peso autodeclarado y deseado, y de talla autodeclarada. Las medidas de peso real, autodeclarado y deseado se utilizaron para estimar la autopercepción y satisfacción con el peso. El análisis estadístico se realizó con el programa SPSS versión 22.0. Resultados: El 17,7% de los participantes presentaba sobrepeso y el 6,5% bajo peso. El 45,2% tenía un gasto por el deporte y/o ejercicio físico ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana y el 32,3% > 3.000 kcal/semana. La autopercepción y satisfacción con el peso fue mejor en el grupo que practicaba deporte y/o ejercicio físico a razón de ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana, que en aquellos que no practicaban ningún ejercicio físico o deporte (P < 0,05). Conclusión: La práctica regular de actividad físicodeportiva moderada está relacionada con una mejor percepción y satisfacción con el peso corporal, en comparación con el sedentarismo. Debería aprovecharse el periodo de estudios universitarios para fomentar la práctica de ejercicio físico-deportivo, empleando los recursos o activos con los que cuenta la Universidad (AU)

Introduction: University students generally have low levels of physical activity, which could affect the body weight and composition and the knowledge and acceptance of their own body. Objective: To assess weight status and body composition, as well as self-perception and satisfaction with body weight in university students, and to analyze the influence of sport practice and physical exercise on these variables. Methods: A sample of 62 male students with a mean age of 20.7+/-1.7 years was evaluated. Sport practice and physical exercise in leisure time were analyzed by questionnaire. Weight status and body composition were assessed by anthropometry. Data about self-reported and desired weight and self-reported height were also registered. Measurements of actual, self-reported and desired weight were used to estimate self- perception and satisfaction with weight. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. Results: Overall 17.7% of participants had overweight and 6.5% underweight. The energy consumption due to sport practice and/or physical exercise was ≤ 3,000 kcal/ week in the 45.2% of the students and > 3,000 kcal/week in the 32.3%. Self-perception and satisfaction with weight was better in the group who practiced sport and/or physical exercise at the rate of ≤ 3.000 kcal/week than in those who did not practice any sport or exercise (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Regular practice of sport or physical exercise is associated with a better self-perception and satisfaction with body weight compared with a sedentary lifestyle. The university studies period should be used to promote sport practice and physical exercise, using the resources or assets of the University (AU)

[Influence of sport practice and physical exercise on anthropometric indicators and weight satisfaction in men university students: a pilot study]. / Influencia de la practica fisico-deportiva sobre indicadores antropometricos y la satisfaccion con el peso en hombres estudiantes universitarios: estudio piloto.

INTRODUCTION: University students generally have low levels of physical activity, which could affect the body weight and composition and the knowledge and acceptance of their own body. OBJECTIVE: To assess weight status and body composition, as well as self-perception and satisfaction with body weight in university students, and to analyze the influence of sport practice and physical exercise on these variables. METHODS: A sample of 62 male students with a mean age of 20.7+/-1.7 years was evaluated. Sport practice and physical exercise in leisure time were analyzed by questionnaire. Weight status and body composition were assessed by anthropometry. Data about self-reported and desired weight and self-reported height were also registered. Measurements of actual, self-reported and desired weight were used to estimate self- perception and satisfaction with weight. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 22.0. RESULTS: Overall 17.7% of participants had overweight and 6.5% underweight. The energy consumption due to sport practice and/or physical exercise was ≤ 3,000 kcal/ week in the 45.2% of the students and > 3,000 kcal/week in the 32.3%. Self-perception and satisfaction with weight was better in the group who practiced sport and/or physical exercise at the rate of ≤ 3.000 kcal/week than in those who did not practice any sport or exercise (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Regular practice of sport or physical exercise is associated with a better self-perception and satisfaction with body weight compared with a sedentary lifestyle. The university studies period should be used to promote sport practice and physical exercise, using the resources or assets of the University.

Introducción: Los jovenes universitarios presentan en general niveles bajos de actividad fisica, lo que podria repercutir en su peso y composicion corporal y en el conocimiento y aceptacion de su propio cuerpo. Objetivo: Evaluar el estado de peso y la composicion corporal, asi como la autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso corporal en universitarios, y analizar la influencia de la actividad fisico-deportiva sobre estas variables. Métodos: La muestra estuvo formada por 62 estudiantes varones con una edad media de 20,7+/-1,7 anos. La practica de deporte y/o ejercicio fisico en el tiempo libre se analizo mediante cuestionario. El estado de peso y la composicion corporal se evaluaron mediante antropometria. Tambien se registraron datos de peso autodeclarado y deseado, y de talla autodeclarada. Las medidas de peso real, autodeclarado y deseado se utilizaron para estimar la autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso. El analisis estadistico se realizo con el programa SPSS version 22.0. Resultados: El 17,7% de los participantes presentaba sobrepeso y el 6,5% bajo peso. El 45,2% tenia un gasto por el deporte y/o ejercicio fisico ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana y el 32,3% > 3.000 kcal/semana. La autopercepcion y satisfaccion con el peso fue mejor en el grupo que practicaba deporte y/o ejercicio fisico a razon de ≤ 3.000 kcal/semana, que en aquellos que no practicaban ningun ejercicio fisico o deporte (P < 0,05). Conclusión: La practica regular de actividad fisicodeportiva moderada esta relacionada con una mejor percepcion y satisfaccion con el peso corporal, en comparacion con el sedentarismo. Deberia aprovecharse el periodo de estudios universitarios para fomentar la practica de ejercicio fisico-deportivo, empleando los recursos o activos con los que cuenta la Universidad.