Abstract
(1) Objective: This study analyzes the evolution of the body mass index (BMI) throughout the academic year associated with changes in the lifestyle associated with the place where students live during the course, lifestyle design, and health strategies for the university community. (2) Methods: A total of 93 first-year nursing students participated in this study. Data were collected throughout the course by administering self-reported questionnaires about eating habits and lifestyles, weight, and height to calculate their BMI and place of residence throughout the course. Data were analyzed using statistical analysis (Mann–Whitney, chi-square, Student’s t-test, repeated-measures analysis of variance, and least significant difference tests). (3) Results: We found that the mean BMI increases significantly throughout the course among all students regardless of sex, age, eating habits, or where they live during the course. At the beginning of the course, the mean BMI was 22.10 ± 3.64. The mean difference between the beginning of the course and the middle has a value of p-value < 0.015 and between the middle of the course and the end a p-value < 0.009. The group that increased the most is found among students who continue to live in the family nucleus rather than those who live alone or in residence. Students significantly changed their eating and health habits, especially those who live alone or in residence. (4) Conclusions: There is an increase in BMI among students. It is necessary to carry out seminars or talks that can help students understand the importance of good eating practices and healthy habits to maintain their weight and, therefore, their health, in the short, medium, and long term and acquire a good quality of life.
Highlights
We find university students who continue to live in the same place of residence during the course, while others live in university residences or alone
We evaluated the students in three groups, according to the place where they lived during the course, as well as their self-perceived health and the consumption of tobacco–alcohol, being factors that have been identified with an increase in body mass index (BMI) [21,22,23]
There is a statistically significant increase in BMI among students who continue to live with their relatives
Summary
A group of special interest are young people on their way to adulthood in which there are changes that may be more influential than others, such as changes in lifestyle and eating habits. One of these changes is the move from high school to university. Within this change, we find university students who continue to live in the same place of residence during the course, while others live in university residences or alone
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