Gender Differences in Nutritional, Odontological and Psychological Patterns of Adolescent Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez,Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez,P. Javier López-Pérez,José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera

doi:10.3390/app11188499

Alexandra Martín-Rodríguez, Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez + Show 2 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/app11188499

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Abstract

This research aimed to explore gender differences in nutritional, odontological and psychological patterns of adolescent students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to achieve the study’s aim, 127 adolescent students (17.61 ± 7.43 years) completed an online questionnaire which analysed variables regarding their psychological, nutritional, oral health, and physical activity profiles and habits during the COVID-19 crisis. Students showed a higher weekly alcohol consumption and higher levels of loneliness perception when alcohol consumption was lower. In addition, experimental avoidance and psychological inflexibility values were lower when the perception of having dry mouth or lack of saliva is higher. The results also show that males presented a more varied intake of food than females and a stronger adherence to physical activity routines. Female students presented a lower number of meals per day when beer and alcohol consumption was higher, and a higher tendency for fat- and sugar-rich foods such as fast food or bakery products than males. Regarding the oral health profile, females showed higher values in daily tooth brushing and no significant differences were found in dry mouth and gastritis variables. The results from the present study could be used by various educational institutions to implement multidisciplinary interventions to develop healthier habits.

Highlights

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the world population, with more than 110 million confirmed cases and more than 2.5 million deaths [1], generating a global health crisis
According to the oral health profile, females showed higher values in daily tooth brushing and no significant differences were found in dry mouth and gastritis variables
Differences were found in physical activity habits; the collected data show that females are more sedentary than males (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the world population, with more than 110 million confirmed cases and more than 2.5 million deaths [1], generating a global health crisis Related to this stressful life event, extended home confinement, brutal grief, interfamilial violence, overuse of the Internet and social media are factors that could influence the health of adolescents during this period [2]. Related to fostering stronger immune systems, having good nutrition patterns is essential to promote healthy outcomes and reduce the risk of many chronic diseases In this line, the explanation of the increasing rates of nutritional illnesses in humans could be linked to dietary habits through different stages of life [2]. During the period of confinement, nutritional habits changed dramatically in parallel with the increase in anxiety and stress values among the population [6]

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