This is a multicenter, cross-sectional study carried out with students regularly enrolled in undergraduate courses at eight Brazilian IFES. Data collection was conducted between October 2021 and February 2022 using an online self-completed questionnaire, which addressed sociodemographic and academic characteristics, lifestyle habits, and health conditions. Symptoms of anxiety and depression were assessed using the Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21 (DASS-21). Variables were analyzed descriptively using frequency distribution and Pearson’s chi-square test. To estimate the prevalence of symptoms of anxiety and depression, the proportion and 95% confidence interval (95%CI) were used. The level of adopted statistical significance was 5%.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson’s chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.

ABSTRACT Objective: to evaluate the quality of life (QOL) and the presence of symptoms related to depression, anxiety, and stress among students in the healthcare field, in comparison to the period before the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A comparative cross-sectional research was conducted at a Brazilian public university. QOL was assessed using the WHOQOL-bref scale, while symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were evaluated using the DASS-21 scale. Descriptive and inferential analyses were employed to compare the two time periods. Results: A total of 355 students participated in this study. During the pandemic, there were significant increases in severe depression symptoms (15.1% versus 24.8%), moderate anxiety (18.3% versus 29.4%), and moderate stress (40.9% versus 53.8%) observed among the participants. Additionally, a significant reduction in QOL was noted, particularly in the domain of social relationships (65.2 versus 59.6, p-value 0.029). Conclusion: The study highlights a deterioration in both the quality of life and the mental health of healthcare students during the COVID-19 pandemic.

RESUMEN Objetivo: Evaluar la calidad de vida (CV) y la presencia de síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés en estudiantes del área de la salud, en comparación con el período previo a la pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Investigación transversal comparativa realizada en una universidad pública brasileña. La CV se evaluó utilizando la escala WHOQOL-bref, mientras que los síntomas de depresión, ansiedad y estrés se evaluaron utilizando la escala DASS-21. Se emplearon análisis descriptivos e inferenciales para comparar los dos períodos. Resultados: Un total de 355 estudiantes participaron en este estudio. Durante la pandemia, se observaron aumentos significativos en los síntomas de depresión grave (15,1% versus 24,8%), ansiedad moderada (18,3% versus 29,4%) y estrés moderado (40,9% versus 53,8%) entre los participantes. Además, hubo una reducción significativa en la CV, especialmente en el ámbito de las relaciones sociales (65,2 versus 59,6, valor de p 0,029). Conclusión: Se evidenció un deterioro en tanto la calidad de vida como la salud mental de los estudiantes de salud durante la pandemia de COVID-19.

RESUMO Objetivo: Avaliar a qualidade de vida (QV) e a presença de sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse em estudantes da área da saúde, em comparação ao período anterior à pandemia de COVID-19. Métodos: Pesquisa transversal comparativa em uma universidade pública brasileira. A QV foi avaliada por meio da escala WHOQOL-bref, enquanto os sintomas de depressão, ansiedade e estresse foram avaliados usando a escala DASS-21. Foram empregadas análises descritivas e inferenciais para comparar os dois períodos. Resultados: Um total de 355 estudantes participaram deste estudo. Durante a pandemia, foram observados aumentos significantes nos sintomas de depressão grave (15,1% versus 24,8%), ansiedade moderada (18,3% versus 29,4%) e estresse moderado (40,9% versus 53,8%) entre os participantes. Além disso, houve uma redução significativa na QV, especialmente no domínio das relações sociais (65,2 versus 59,6, p-valor 0,029). Conclusão: Evidenciou-se piora da QV e da saúde mental dos estudantes da saúde durante a pandemia de COVID-19.

ABSTRACT BACKGROUND: The university context plays an important role in the health-disease process since students are potentially vulnerable to obesogenic behaviors that can influence long-term health. OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of and factors associated with the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors among university students. DESIGN AND SETTING This was a cross-sectional study at a Brazilian public university. METHODS: This study was conducted with all university students in the first and second semesters of 2019 at Universidade Federal de Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais, Brazil. Data were collected between April and September 2019, using a self-administered questionnaire. The outcome was the co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors, measured as the sum of three risk behaviors: inadequate eating practices, leisure-time physical inactivity, and sedentary behavior. A Venn diagram was used to evaluate the simultaneous occurrence of risk behaviors. Pearson’s chi-square test and multivariate logistic regression were used for statistical analyses. RESULTS: A total of 351 students participated in the study. Inadequate eating practices constituted the most prevalent isolated risk behavior (80.6%), which was also the most prevalent when combined with sedentary behavior (23.6%). University students aged 20 years or younger, with non-white skin color, poor self-rated health, and symptoms of depression had increased chances of simultaneous occurrence of obesogenic behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the importance of developing and implementing actions to reduce combined obesogenic behaviors in the university environment. Institutions should focus on creating an environment that promotes health-protective behaviors such as physical activity and healthy eating.