Intestinal dysbiosis and lifestyle of college students during the COVID-19 pandemic

Abstract

Intestinal dysbiosis is a condition of microbiota imbalance that favors the emergence of various pathologies. It occurs for different causes, including psychological stress, diet, physical inactivity and sleep deprivation. The object of this study is to relate the signs and symptoms of intestinal dysbiosis with the lifestyle of university students during the COVID-19 pandemic. This is a cross-sectional analytical study realized during the period from September to December 2022. There were used three instruments to collect data: a Sociodemographic Questionnaire, The Metabolic Trace Survey and Convid - Behavior Survey Questionnaire, they both adapted. 656 students participated, of which 52% reached a score indicative of food hypersensitivity. The average age was 21 years old and the sample was mostly female (79,2%). The results evidenced that, about the lifestyle of the group classified as dysbiosis, mostly reported having sleep problems during the pandemic. Furthermore, the sadness and depression symptoms, as well as anxiety and nervousness, had a high incidence. This data was also equivalent to the recurrence of the return to alcohol consumption and the high screen use among this group.  It was also evidenced that there were no significant differences between the groups when analysed diet and physical activity. Therefore, it was concluded that the COVID-19 pandemic impacted the lives of students, favoring dysbiosis. So, adaptations in the university reality are interesting to achieve positive vitality and increase academic performance of this group.