The Impact of COVID-19 on the Lifestyles of University Students: A Spanish Online Survey
Autor/es
Ruiz-Zaldibar, Cayetana; García-Garcés, Laura; Vicario-Merino, Ángel; Mayoral-Gonzalo, Noemí; Lluesma-Vidal, Marta; [et al.]Fecha
2022-02-05Tipo de documento
articleÁrea/s de conocimiento
Ciencias BiomédicasResumen
The present study aimed to investigate the perceived changes in lifestyle behaviors among
Spanish university students during COVID-19-related confinement. An observational, descriptive,
and cross-sectional survey study was conducted during April 2020. Sociodemographic and anthropometric
data were then obtained. The FANTASTIC questionnaire was used to assess the lifestyles
of the 488 participants who took part in the study. Of the participants, 76.3% were female. Overall,
the lifestyles of university students significantly deteriorated during the period of confinement
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. University female students were especially affected
compared to their male fellows (p = 0.010). For women, social and family relationships (p < 0.001),
personality (p < 0.001), interior (p < 0.001), and career (p < 0.001) were the aspects that worsened
during confinement. For men, lack of physical exercise (p < 0.001), social and family relationships (p
< 0.001), and career (p = 0.002) were affected to a greater extent. In both cases, confinement was a
protective factor against the consumption of tobacco, toxins (p < 0.001), and alcohol (p < 0.001). Gender
(p = 0.008) and obesity (p = 0.044) were the two factors that most affected the change in the score
of the FANTASTIC questionnaire. Spanish university students’ lifestyles worsened during the lockdown
caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, especially those of women, who were the most affected.
Some aspects, such as those related to social and emotional behaviors, were deeply affected, while
confinement could be a protective factor against previous toxic habits.