Gender Differences in Nutritional, Odontological and Psychological Patterns of Adolescent Students during COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This research aimed to explore gender differences in nutritional, odontological and psychological patterns of adolescent students during the COVID-19 pandemic. In order to achieve the study’s aim, 127 adolescent students (17.61 ± 7.43 years) completed an online questionnaire which analysed variables regarding their psychological, nutritional, oral health, and physical activity profiles and habits during the COVID-19 crisis. Students showed a higher weekly alcohol consumption and higher levels of loneliness perception when alcohol consumption was lower. In addition, experimental avoidance and psychological inflexibility values were lower when the perception of having dry mouth or lack of saliva is higher. The results also show that males presented a more varied intake of food than females and a stronger adherence to physical activity routines. Female students presented a lower number of meals per day when beer and alcohol consumption was higher, and a higher tendency for fat- and sugar-rich foods such as fast food or bakery products than males. Regarding the oral health profile, females showed higher values in daily tooth brushing and no significant differences were found in dry mouth and gastritis variables. The results from the present study could be used by various educational institutions to implement multidisciplinary interventions to develop healthier habits.

Food Consumption and COVID-19 Risk Perception of University Students

“…It would be interesting to analyze the role of other factors as physical activity [59], dental health [59,60], psychological profile, especially loneliness [23], and social relationships [61] in the risk perception of COVID-19.…”

The Effect of Loneliness in Psychological and Behavioral Profile among High School Students in Spain

“…The severe lockdown measures, such as social distancing have hindered physical practice procedures. Additionally, economic status was not included in questionnaires and could be considered an important issue to consider in future research as previous authors highlighted [49], as well as other contextual and behavioural factors such as nutritional, odontological, and psychological patterns that could modulate the contextual profile of adolescents [50][51][52][53][54][55].…”

Infancy Dietary Patterns, Development, and Health: An Extensive Narrative Review

“…The connections between unhealthy dietary patterns and worse mental health seem to be more consistent than the associations between healthy dietary patterns and better mental health [ 184 ]. A Western lifestyle and dietary pattern; stressful events and situations; and a preference for takeaway fast food, confectionery, and red meat had a positive relationship with depressive and aggressive behaviors, whereas higher consumption of vegetables and fresh fruit was significantly associated with better behavioral patterns in early adolescence [ 185 ]. A relationship was also found between increased consumption of high-sugar food and emotional instability in children [ 186 ], whereas higher consumption of fruit and vegetables was related to a better behavioral pattern in 4–12-year-old children in Australia [ 187 ].…”

“…A lack of iron during infancy can lead to slight consequences [ 189 ], whereas a lack of iodine seems to influence mental development in 5-year-old children [ 190 ]. Western dietary patterns with a high energy consumption based on fat and sugars enhance inflammation and adiposity, which are related to a higher risk of suffering mental health problems, including depression, before adulthood [ 185 ]. Supplementation with minerals and vitamins has been also found to work well with ADHD children to regulate aggressive behaviors and emotion regulation [ 191 ], whereas a diet high in sugars and fats could enhance hyperactivity and disruptive behaviors in sharp contrast to higher consumption of fruits and vegetables [ 192 ].…”