Abstract

CHOTON-CALVO, Mariel Del Rocío et al. Factors Associated with Dietary Practices Among University Students During the COVID-19 Lockdown in Peru. Hacia promoc. Salud [online]. 2024, vol.29, n.3, pp.19-28.  Epub July 05, 2025. ISSN 0121-7577.  https://doi.org/10.17151/hpsal.2024.29.3.3.

The COVID-19 pandemic had a significant impact on public health, affecting university students, who adopted different dietary practices at home during the lockdown.

This study aimed to examine the sociodemographic and behavioral factors associated with dietary practices among university students during the COVID-19 confinement period.

A descriptive, cross-sectional, and relational study was conducted with 561 students of both sexes from a public university in northern Peru, selected through convenience sampling. Participants completed an 18-item online survey, which demonstrated acceptable reliability (Cronbach’s alpha = 0.703). Statistical analysis included the Chi-square test (χ²) and simple correspondence analysis.

The results indicate that daily physical activity (p = 0.000) and eating with company (p = 0.000) were significantly associated with dietary practices. Additionally, a healthy diet was linked to engaging in at least 30 minutes of daily exercise, maintaining a consistent diet during lockdown, being male, and being between 18 and 20 years old. Conversely, regular dietary habits were primarily associated with eating with company, being female, being between 21 and 23 years old, weight gain, and engaging in less than 30 minutes of exercise per day. Finally, poor dietary habits were strongly correlated with eating alone.

In conclusion, eating with company and engaging in more than 30 minutes of daily physical activity were the most significant factors associated with dietary practices among university students during the lockdown.

Keywords : Eating behavior; SARS-CoV-2 infection; students; factors; diet.

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