Avaliação do comportamento alimentar de estudantes da UFCG/CES, Campus Cuité, PB durante o período da pandemia Covid-19.

Abstract

The social distance caused by the Covid-19 pandemic brought with it changes in lifestyle and eating behavior, influencing the health of the population. Isolation has directly resulted in increased anxiety and consequently changes in eating habits, constituting factors that influence food choices and quality of life. The consumption of a nutritionally inadequate diet and the reduction of physical activities resulting from social and cultural factors are commonly associated with the emergence of chronic non-communicable diseases and reduced immunity. The period of isolation has negatively affected young students, with a reduction in face-to-face activities. This factor, when associated with insecurity and anxiety, brings with it an increase in vulnerability to nutritional disorders. Thus, the objective of this project was to evaluate the main changes in lifestyle and eating behavior during the period of the pandemic in students from different courses at the Federal University of Campina Grande, Cuité campus, through a cross-sectional study of exploratory character that was directed to the students of the institution. Therefore, eating behavior was evaluated through the application of the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire-21, in the version translated into Portuguese. As well as, food consumption was evaluated, through a personalized questionnaire of consumption of food groups. Finally, stress levels were analyzed, using the Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) in its translated and adapted version. The results found showed that most participants did not restrict their diet, although a portion stated that when they felt stressed, they started to eat more, also indicating patterns of overeating. Furthermore, during the pandemic, consumption of high-sugar and salty foods/ready-to-eat snacks/fast food increased when compared to the frequency of food consumption before the pandemic period. Thus, the results found in the present study allowed us to conclude that changes in behavior and eating habits were mostly due to lifestyle changes associated with increased levels of stress and anxiety.