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

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.

Download Full-text

Gender Differences in the COVID-19 Pandemic Risk Perception, Psychology and Behaviors of Spanish University Students

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18083908 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (8) ◽

pp. 3908

Author(s):

Stephanie Rodriguez-Besteiro ◽

José Francisco Tornero-Aguilera ◽

Jesús Fernández-Lucas ◽

Vicente Javier Clemente-Suárez

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Gender Differences ◽

Oral Health ◽

Risk Perception ◽

University Students ◽

Perceived Risk ◽

Activity Patterns ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Personal Lives ◽

Physical Activity Patterns

The actual COVID-19 pandemic scenario has generated a context of uncertainty, helplessness, and inequality. Yet, the perception of COVID-19 risk has influenced nutritional, psychological, and physical activity patterns depending on gender. We conducted the present research with the aim of studying gender differences of university students in the perceived risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, and in psychological, nutritional, oral health, and physical activity habits. To reach the study’s aim, 300 volunteer university students completed an online questionnaire which analyzed variables of perceived risk of the COVID-19 pandemic, psychological profiles, and nutritional, oral health, and physical activity habits. Results showed that females presented a higher perception of danger to the COVID-19 virus than males but showed no differences in how the pandemic has affected personal lives. Females showed higher values of anxiety, conscientiousness, neuroticism, and openness to experience, while males presented higher values of extraversion. Nutritionally, males presented greater consumption of soft drinks, meat, and pasta or rice, and lower buccal hygiene. Yet, no differences were found regarding physical activity patterns. Results from the present study could be used by various educational institutions to implement multidisciplinary interventions to reduce the stress and risk perception.

Download Full-text

Prevalence and Determinants of High Blood Pressure among Adolescents: A School based Study in Rural Area of Hooghly District, West Bengal

International Journal of Research and Review ◽

10.52403/ijrr.20211127 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 8 (11) ◽

pp. 205-210

Author(s):

Malay Kumar Das ◽

Rabindranath Sinha ◽

Aparajita Dasgupta

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Risk Factors ◽

Blood Pressure ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Food Intake ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Body Mass ◽

High Blood Pressure ◽

Fast Food ◽

Non Communicable Diseases

Introduction: The World Health Organization has already warned of increasing non-communicable diseases among adolescents as a major public health problem. The importance of this age group also lies in the fact that many serious diseases in adulthood have their roots in adolescence. Method: A pre-designed and pre-tested questionnaire was used in class-room setting to collect information from students regarding presence of risk factors of non-communicable diseases. The respondents were also subjected to anthropometric measurements and blood pressure examination using standard operating procedures. Results: A total of 761 students of class VI-XII participated in the study of which 61.4% were boys and rests were girls. High blood pressure among boys and girls were 19.9% and 22.1% were respectively. In Bivariate analysis age > 15 years (median) (OR= 2.11), fast food intake (>3 times/week) (OR= 1.66), Alcohol consumption (OR= 2.22), less physical activity (OR=1.54), increased body mass index (OR=2.53), significantly associated with high blood pressure. In Multivariate analysis age (AOR= 2.25), fast food intake (AOR= 1.50), Alcohol consumption (OR= 2.23), less physical activity (AOR=1.71), increased body mass index (AOR=2.42) remains significant predictor. Conclusion: Detecting the risk factors of high blood pressure prevalent in the population is of utmost importance to achieve a healthy population. Formulation and dissemination of need--based, culturally acceptable and age appropriate scientific messages for school students should be conducted more proactively. Keywords: Adolescents, Blood pressure, Risk factor, Rural school.

Download Full-text

The Relationships of Watching Television, Computer Use, Physical Activity, and Food Preferences to Body Mass Index: Gender and Nativity Differences among Adolescents in Saudi Arabia

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18189915 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (18) ◽

pp. 9915

Author(s):

Ahmad H. Alghadir ◽

Zaheen A. Iqbal ◽

Sami A. Gabr

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Saudi Arabia ◽

Body Mass ◽

Fast Food ◽

Online Teaching ◽

Age Groups ◽

Food Preferences ◽

Saudi Students ◽

Adolescent Students

Background: Adolescents and ethnic subgroups have been identified at high risks of overweight and its associated complications. Although some studies have investigated overweight, obesity, nutritional status, physical activity, and associated factors among Saudi students, no studies have examined these characteristics among non-Saudi students or compared non-Saudi to Saudi adolescent students. The objective of this study was to compare differences between Saudi and non-Saudi adolescent students regarding time spent watching television, using computers, engaging in physical activity, and their food preferences. The relationships between these lifestyle behaviors and body mass index by Saudi nativity and gender were tested. Methods: Students aged 12 to 18 years (n = 214) from various schools in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, completed a self-administered questionnaire that included questions about demographic and anthropometric characteristics, daily after-school routine, physical activity, watching television, using computers, and food preferences. Non-parametric (Mann–Whitney U) tests assessed the statistical differences between Saudi and non-Saudi respondents, and males and females were separately tested. Results: Saudi boys who reported physical activity two to five times per week, the most television time, the most computer time, and the highest frequency of eating fast food and drinking soft drinks had a significantly higher mean body mass index than the non-Saudi boys in their categories. However, there were no significant differences found between the Saudi and non-Saudi girls. Conclusions: High levels of sedentary and low levels of physical activities as well as high consumption of high-fat fast foods and high-sugar drinks threaten the health of Saudi adolescents. Cultural differences in lifestyle between Saudi and non-Saudi families should be considered when developing programs to improve knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding diet quality and physical activity. The objective of this study is more important in the current situation where increased time spent on computers and mobile phones due to online teaching in schools or working from home, decreased physical activity due to precautionary lockdowns, and unchecked eating patterns while spending more time in sedentary activities in homes has become our COVID-19 pandemic lifestyle in all the age groups. A similar study should be replicated on a large scale to study the effect of this lifestyle on our lives in all the age groups.

Download Full-text

Associations between Changes in Health Behaviours and Body Weight during the COVID-19 Quarantine in Lithuania: The Lithuanian COVIDiet Study

Nutrients ◽

10.3390/nu12103119 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (10) ◽

pp. 3119 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Vilma Kriaucioniene ◽

Lina Bagdonaviciene ◽

Celia Rodríguez-Pérez ◽

Janina Petkeviciene

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Weight Gain ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Fast Food ◽

Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽

Health Behaviours ◽

Overweight And Obesity ◽

Weight Changes ◽

Fried Food ◽

Sugary Drinks

The COVID-19 quarantine has caused significant changes in everyday life. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of the quarantine on dietary, physical activity and alcohol consumption habits of Lithuanians and the association between health behaviours and weight changes. An online cross-sectional survey was carried out among individuals older than 18 years in April 2020. The self-administered questionnaire included health behaviour and weight change data. Altogether 2447 subjects participated in the survey. Almost half of the respondents (49.4%) ate more than usual, 45.1% increased snacking, and 62.1% cooked at home more often. Intake of carbonated or sugary drinks, fast food and commercial pastries decreased, while consumption of homemade pastries and fried food increased. A decrease in physical activity was reported by 60.6% of respondents. Every third (31.5%) respondent, more often those already with overweight, gained weight. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the higher odds of weight gain were associated with females, older age, increased consumption of sugary drinks, homemade pastries and fried food, eating more than usual, increased snacking, decreased physical activity and increased alcohol consumption. Our data highlighted the need for dietary and physical activity guidelines to prevent weight gain during the period of self-isolation, especially targeting those with overweight and obesity.

Download Full-text

Acceptability, internal consistency and test–retest reliability of scales to assess parental and nursery staff’s self-efficacy, motivation and knowledge in relation to pre-school children’s nutrition, oral health and physical activity

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s1368980018004111 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 22 (06) ◽

pp. 967-975 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Kaiseree Dias ◽

James White ◽

Chris Metcalfe ◽

Ruth Kipping ◽

Angeliki Papadaki ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Oral Health ◽

Internal Consistency ◽

Self Efficacy ◽

Intraclass Correlation ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Retest Reliability ◽

Parent Questionnaire ◽

Children's Nutrition ◽

Test Retest Reliability

AbstractObjectiveTo determine the acceptability, internal consistency and test–retest reliability of self-efficacy, motivation and knowledge scales relating to pre-school children’s nutrition, oral health and physical activity.DesignAn online questionnaire was completed twice with an interval of 7–11d.SettingOnline questionnaires were sent to participants via email from nursery managers. The parent questionnaire was also available on the parenting website www.netmums.com.ParticipantsEighty-two parents and sixty-nine nursery staff from Bristol, UK who had and worked with 2–4-year-olds, respectively.ResultsResponse rates were 86·3 and 86·0 % and missing data 15·9 and 14·5 % for the second administration of the parent and nursery staff questionnaires, respectively. Weighted κ coefficients for individual items mostly fell under the ‘moderate’ agreement category for the parental (75·0 %) and nursery staff (55·8 %) items. All self-efficacy and motivation scales had acceptable levels of internal consistency (Cronbach’s α coefficients>0·7). The intraclass correlation coefficients for the self-efficacy, motivation and knowledge scales ranged between 0·48 and 0·82. Paired t tests found an increase between test and retest knowledge scores for the Nutrition Motivation (t=−2·91, df=81, P=0·00) and Knowledge (t=−3·22, df=81, P=0·00) scales in the parent questionnaire.ConclusionsOur findings demonstrate that the items and scales show good acceptability, internal consistency and test–retest reliability.

Download Full-text

Lifestyle and eating habits before and during COVID-19 quarantine in Brazil

Public Health Nutrition ◽

10.1017/s136898002100255x ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-29

Author(s):

Tamires Cássia de Melo Souza ◽

Lívya Alves Oliveira ◽

Marina Martins Daniel ◽

Lívia Garcia Ferreira ◽

Ceres Mattos Della Lucia ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Screen Time ◽

Fast Food ◽

Fruits And Vegetables ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Statistical Significance ◽

Distance Measures ◽

Alcoholic Beverages ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Drinking Frequency

Abstract Objective: To assess changes in daily habits, food choices, and lifestyle of adult Brazilians before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Design: This observational study was carried out with Brazilian adults through an online questionnaire five months after the social distance measures implementation. The McNemar, McNemar-Bowker, and Wilcoxon tests were used to investigate differences before and during the COVID pandemic period, adopting the statistical significance of p <0.05. Setting: Brazil. Participants: 1,368 volunteers aged 18+ years. Results: The volunteers reported a lower frequency of breakfast, morning, and lunch snacks (p<0.05) and a higher frequency of evening snacks and other meal categories during the pandemic period (p<0.05). The results showed an increase in the consumption of bakery products, instant meals and fast-food, while the consumption of vegetables and fruits decreased (p<0.005). There was a significant increase in the frequency of consumption of alcoholic beverages (p<0.001), but a reduction in the dose (p<0.001); increased frequency of smoking (p=0.007); an increase in sleep and screen time in hours, and decrease in physical activity (p<0.001). Conclusions: It was possible to observe an increase in screen time, hours of sleep, smoking, and drinking frequency. On the other hand, there was a reduction in the dose of alcoholic beverages but also in the practice of physical activity. Eating habits also changed, reducing the performance of daytime meals and increasing the performance of nighttime meals. The frequency of consumption of instant meals and fast-food has increased, while consumption of fruits and vegetables has decreased.

Download Full-text

BMI and Lifestyle Pattern - A Cross Sectional Study among Adolescent School Students in an Urban Area of West Bengal, India

Journal of Evidence Based Medicine and Healthcare ◽

10.18410/jebmh/2020/559 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 7 (46) ◽

pp. 2719-2723

Author(s):

Prosenjit Naskar ◽

Sima Roy

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Urban Area ◽

Fast Food ◽

West Bengal ◽

Vegetable Consumption ◽

Communicable Disease ◽

Soft Drink ◽

Daily Consumption ◽

School Students ◽

Adolescent Students

BACKGROUND Obesity is one of the serious public health challenges of the 21st century. Studies in urban India showed that overweight / obesity among adolescents varied from 10.45 % to 21 %. Obesity / overweight is a major risk factor for no communicable disease and some cancers. We wanted to determine the prevalence of obesity and related lifestyle behaviour among the adolescent students. METHODS A descriptive study was carried out among adolescent students in an urban area of West Bengal. BMI was assessed according to WHO growth reference for school children (5 - 19 years). Food frequency data and pattern of physical activity was recorded based on GSHS. Adequacy of physical activity was assessed based on set WHO criteria. Data was collected with a self-administered structured schedule. Anthropometric measurements and record review were done. RESULTS 3.5 % were obese. 12.6 % were overweight, 75.3 % were of normal weight, 8.6 % were thin. Daily consumption of vegetables, milk and fruits were 58.1 %, 31.1 % and 9.3 % respectively. Consumption of carbonated soft drink and fast food was low. All consumed iodised salt and 18.2 % consumed extra salt. 23.9 % of the students performed the recommended physical activity. 46 % student used computer, 53.2 % used mobile. Most watched TV. Overweight / obesity was significantly related to type of family, vegetable consumption and history of chronic diseases in the family. CONCLUSIONS About 16.1 % of the students were overweight / obese. Physical activity and dietary pattern were not satisfactory. A substantial number of students used computer, mobile and watched TV. Thus, promotion for intake of healthy diet, adequate physical activity, and regular health check-up is recommended. KEYWORDS Adolescent Students, Lifestyle, Obesity, Urban

Download Full-text

Comparative characteristic of consumption of psychoactive substances by adolescent students of initial vocational education in Kazan and the Russian Federation

Kazan medical journal ◽

10.17750/kmj2017-713 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 98 (5) ◽

pp. 713-719

Author(s):

E S Skvortsova ◽

L K Postnikova

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Vocational Education ◽

Russian Federation ◽

Specific Structure ◽

Comparative Characteristic ◽

Educational Institutions ◽

Psychoactive Substances ◽

Adolescent Students ◽

Federal Districts ◽

The Russian Federation

Aim. To identify the patterns of psychoactive substances consumption among adolescent students of initial vocational educational institutions of Kazan compared to equivalent parameters among their peers in the whole across Russia. Methods. Anonymous survey of adolescent students of initial vocational education in randomly chosen institutions (in Kazan and the Russian Federation - 17 cities from 5 federal districts). Results. Analysis of prevalence, age-specific structure of initiation and reasons for consumption of psychoactive substances among teenagers aged 15 to 17, students of initial vocational educational institutions of Kazan, revealed that these parameters outnumber similar indicators in the Russian Federation. Prevalence of alcohol consumption among students of initial vocational educational institutions of Kazan was 81.3 per 100 boys and 75.0 per 100 girls, and in the Russian Federation - 59.7 per 100 boys and 63.1 per 100 girls, respectively (p

Download Full-text

Lifestyles of university students in Bosnia and Herzegovina

Journal of Health Sciences ◽

10.17532/jhsci.2017.441 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. 27-34

Author(s):

Suada Brankovic ◽

Aida Pilav ◽

Šeila Cilović-Lagarija ◽

Arzija Pašalić ◽

Jasmina Mahmutović

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Cigarette Smoking ◽

University Students ◽

Traffic Engineering ◽

Fast Food ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Developed Countries ◽

Adult Men ◽

The Difference

Introduction: Currently, there is a growing interest in alcoholism-related studies among healthcare community. Cigarette smoking is five times more prevalent among adult men compared to women but these gender differences have been decreasing among young people. In developed countries, harmful effects of sedentary lifestyle and physical inactivity have led to increased rates of obesity in young population. The main aim of this study was to explore the lifestyles of students at the University of Sarajevo. We investigated the prevalence of cigarette smoking and alcohol consumption, eating habits, and physical activity in this student population. Methods: Students from Faculty of Health Sciences [FHS], Faculty of Political Science [FPS], and Faculty of Traffic Engineering and Communications [FTEC]) voluntarily participated in this questionnaire-based study. We surveyed a total of 410 students. Results: On average, 21.8% of participants consumed cigarettes (a significantly higher number of those who smoked cigarettes was in FPS group). The highest number of students who reported physical activity (recreational or active sport) was in FTEC group (66.5%), and the difference was statistically significant compared to FHS (48.2%) and FPS (51.9%) groups. Over 60% of participants in all three groups experienced stress occasionally. The majority of students in three groups consumed fast food while at campus. The highest number of students in all three groups reported to drink water compared to other drinks. Conclusions: Our results indicate that the lifestyles of university students in Sarajevo are subject to concern. Frequent alcohol consumption and cigarette smoking are typical examples of behaviour that should be reduced through educative programs and workshops.

Download Full-text

Is Alcohol Consumption Related to Lifestyle Factors in Romanian University Students?

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18041835 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (4) ◽

pp. 1835

Author(s):

Bogdana Adriana Năsui ◽

Rodica Ana Ungur ◽

Patricia Talaba ◽

Valentin Nicolae Varlas ◽

Nina Ciuciuc ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Alcohol Consumption ◽

Fast Food ◽

Illicit Drugs ◽

Eating Habits ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Drug Prevention ◽

Online Questionnaire ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

High Prevalence

Poor eating habits and substance abuse are major public health concerns among young adults transitioning into university life. This study’s objective was to assess Romanian students’ alcohol consumption and correlate it with other lifestyle factors. We performed a cross-sectional study of 1212 students with a mean age of 21.1 ± 2.4 years. We applied a valid online questionnaire to evaluate and statistically analyze the interrelation between alcohol consumption and lifestyle factors by multivariate statistical analysis. The prevalence of alcohol consumption among the student population enrolled in the study was 79.9%. Multiple regression showed that alcohol consumption was positively associated with gender (p < 0.001), level of physical activity (p = 0.009), number of cigarettes (p < 0.001), and fast-food consumption (p < 0.001), and negatively associated with sleep (p = 0.012) and study hours (p < 0.001). The study revealed a high prevalence (18%) of binge drinking among males. The frequent use of illicit drugs is associated with alcohol consumption (p < 0.001) but present at low levels (1.6%). The study evidenced a high prevalence of alcohol consumption in students, especially in males, and poor food behavior related to the intake of vegetables and fruits. Health promotion campaigns regarding the harmful effects of alcohol, smoking, poor nutrition, and ongoing illicit drug prevention campaigns are needed to improve students’ performances.

Download Full-text