Lifestyle in university students during confinement by COVID-19

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic impacted healthy eating and lifestyles. To determine the impact on diet and lifestyle in university students in the health area of the border areas of Mexico (Tamaulipas and Chiapas) during the confinement by COVID-19. This study was observational, descriptive, analytical, comparative cross-sectional, with convenience sampling with 409 students, 48.7% (199) from Tamaulipas, and 51.3% (210) from Chiapas. A survey with 30 items related to eating behavior and lifestyle was applied. found an increase in obesity in Tamaulipas from 7.5% to 8.5% and in overweight in the state of Chiapas from 21.9% to 24.8% (p=0.001). A decrease in healthy eating was observed during confinement from 61.3% to 52.8% in Tamaulipas (p = 0.05) and from 70.5% to 57.1% in Chiapas (p = 0.001), with consumption of high carbohydrate foods (41.7%) and ultra-high-fat foods predominating on the northern border. processed (13.1%), while for the southern border there was a higher consumption of fruits and vegetables (35.2%) (p = 0.06). On both borders, physical activity decreased during confinement from 61.8% to 60.3% in Tamaulipas (p = 0.09) and 69.5% to 61.0% in Chiapas (p = 0.06). 52.3% and 52.4% of students in Tamaulipas and Chiapas also reported waking up during the night (p = 0.98). The diet and lifestyle of university students from the border areas of Mexico were affected during the confinement by COVID-19 with a decrease in the perception of healthy eating, an increase in the number of meals and a tendency to decrease in the number of meals. consumption of alcohol, tobacco and physical activity.