The influence of lifestyle and dietary habits on the nutritional profile of medical students and other health sciences academics

Abstract

A series of risk factors and changes in lifestyle habits tend to worsen in health students, due to the stressful routine. In addition to the requirement for dedication and performance, medical students are exposed to other harmful lifestyle habits, including poor diet, sedentary lifestyle, sleep disorders, stress, and mental disorders, as well as alcoholism and smoking. This work analyzed the lifestyle and habits related to the nutritional profile of academics in the health area, especially medical students, observing the main dysfunctional practices, their prevalence, associated conditions, and harmful consequences. An integrative literature review was carried out on the CAPES, SciELO and LILACS Journal Portal databases. It was found that medical students have high levels of overweight, ranging between 26% and 32.2%; and obesity ranging between 4% and 7.8%. Unhealthy lifestyle habits such as inadequate eating practices, sedentary lifestyle, alcoholism, and smoking are common, especially linked to long and stressful routines, in addition to easier access to medicines. The vulnerable position experienced by medical and healthcare students is evident, with a prevalence of lifestyle habits considered to be at risk for the development of obesity and risk factors for other chronic non-communicable diseases.