Body weight in relation to hours of sleep, and physical activity in Latin American university students during the Covid-19 pandemic

Meza-Miranda, E. R. et al. (2022) Body weight in relation to hours of sleep, and physical activity in Latin American university students during the Covid-19 pandemic. Journal of American College Health, (doi: 10.1080/07448481.2022.2089848) (PMID:35816742) (Early Online Publication)

Abstract

Introduction: Short sleep, physical inactivity, and being locked up are risk factors for weight gain. Objective: We evaluated weight gain according to sex, age, hours of sleep and physical activity in university students from 10 Latin American countries during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Cross-sectional and multicenter study (n = 4880). Results: The average age was 22.5 ± 4.4 years. 60.2% were currently locked up. 73.6% were women, 48.2% increased their body weight, 66% reported insufficient sleep hours, and 65.9% were inactive. Women gained more weight than men (73.2%) and younger students gained more weight (85.1%). Those who had insufficient sleep hours gained most weight (67.6%). Inactive participants gained most weight (74.7%). Students who have insufficient sleep are 21% more likely to have changes in body weight compared to students who have optimal sleep. Conclusion: The increase in body weight and its risk factors during confinement should be considered as emerging from public health.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Early Online Publication
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: Parra, Solange
• Authors: Meza-Miranda, E. R., Parra-Soto, S. L., Durán-Agüero, S., Gomez, G., Carpio-Arias, V., Ríos-Castillo, I., Murillo, A. G., Araneda, J., Morales, G., Cavagnari, B. M., Nava-González, E. J., Bejarano-Roncancio, J. J., Núñez, B., Cordón-Arrivillaga, K., Mauricio-Alza, S., and Landaeta-Díaz, L.
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Cardiovascular & Metabolic Health
• Journal Name: Journal of American College Health
• Publisher: Taylor & Francis
• ISSN: 0744-8481
• ISSN (Online): 1940-3208
• Published Online: 11 July 2022