Food Preferences in Undergraduate Nursing Students and Its Relationship with Food Addiction and Physical Activity

The transition to college is a decisive stage for the acquisition of eating habits that continue into adulthood. The aim of this study is to assess the consumption of healthy elements of the Mediterranean diet in a group of university students and to evaluate whether the consumption pattern was related to sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), food addiction or the amount of physical activity performed. A total of 515 nursing students participated. The Mediterranean diet adherence questionnaire (PREDIMED), the food addiction scale (YFAS 2.0) and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) were completed. For data analysis, multivariate analysis was performed with multiple linear regression and adjusted for sex, age, and BMI. The results showed that females consumed various types of meats (white/red, processed) in a healthier proportion (p < 0.05). Students that consumed more than one per day (unhealthy) of red/processed meats (mean difference (MD) = −0.49; 95% CI: −0.83; −0.15), soft drinks (MD = −0.82; 95% CI: 82–1.36; −0.27) and pastries (MD = −0.63; 95% CI: −0.97; −0.30) displayed higher food addiction scores. In addition, students who skipped breakfast also scored higher on food addiction (MD = 0.75; 95% CI: 0.31–1.19). Higher values of physical activity were observed in those who presented a healthy consumption of vegetables (MD = 140.86; 95% CI: 72.71–209.02), fruit (MD = 145.78; 95% CI: 69.35–222.21), legumes (MD = 136.46; 95% CI: 60.43–212.50) and nuts (MD = 74.36; 95% CI: 14.23–134.49). Students who consumed more red or processed meats, more pastries and more soft drinks had higher values of food addiction, while those who consumed more vegetables, fruits, legumes, and nuts had more minutes of physical activity per week. These findings invite us to insist on expanding knowledge regarding the health benefits of consuming a Mediterranean-type diet as a whole. The healthy consumption of fish, fruit and legumes should also be emphasized, especially among university students

Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Regular physical activity is related to many factors in a university student’s environment. The coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown have restricted many elements of our environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate students’ physical activity and sedentary behaviour at two points in time: before and during the coronavirus lockdown. As a secondary aim, we also wanted to look at changes resulting from other factors (alcohol, tobacco, diet, stages of change, symptoms of anxiety/depression and sociodemographic characteristics). We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, pre-post study with two cut-off points. Two hundred and thirteen students took part in the study. The main dependent variables were physical activity and sitting time, measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for paired and unpaired data, as well as group-stratified analysis. During lockdown, both weekly physical activity (MD: −159.87; CI: −100.44, −219.31) and weekly sitting time increased (MD: −106.76; CI: −71.85, −141.67). In the group analysis, differences were observed in relation to gender, year of study, BMI, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, symptoms of anxiety/depression, Mediterranean diet, living situation and stage of change. The results showed an increase in both physical activity and sitting time globally and by group.La actividad física regular está relacionada con muchos factores en el entorno del estudiante universitario. La pandemia de coronavirus y el confinamiento resultante han restringido muchos elementos de nuestro entorno. El objetivo de este estudio fue evaluar la actividad física y el comportamiento sedentario de los estudiantes en dos momentos: antes y durante el confinamiento por el coronavirus. Como objetivo secundario, también queríamos observar los cambios resultantes de otros factores (alcohol, tabaco, dieta, etapas de cambio, síntomas de ansiedad/depresión y características sociodemográficas). Realizamos un estudio observacional, transversal, pre-post con dos puntos de corte. Doscientos trece estudiantes participaron en el estudio. Las principales variables dependientes fueron la actividad física y el tiempo sentado, medidos mediante el Cuestionario Internacional de Actividad Física—Forma Corta (IPAQ-SF). Se utilizaron pruebas paramétricas y no paramétricas para datos apareados y no apareados, así como análisis estratificado por grupos. Durante el confinamiento aumentó tanto la actividad física semanal (DM: −159,87; IC: −100,44, −219,31) como el tiempo de sedestación semanal (DM: −106,76; IC: −71,85, −141,67). En el análisis de grupos se observaron diferencias en relación al sexo, año de estudio, IMC, consumo de alcohol, tabaquismo, síntomas de ansiedad/depresión, dieta mediterránea, situación de vida y etapa de cambio. Los resultados mostraron un aumento tanto en la actividad física como en el tiempo sentado a nivel mundial y por grupo. En el análisis de grupos se observaron diferencias en relación al sexo, año de estudio, IMC, consumo de alcohol, tabaquismo, síntomas de ansiedad/depresión, dieta mediterránea, situación de vida y etapa de cambio. Los resultados mostraron un aumento tanto en la actividad física como en el tiempo sentado a nivel mundial y por grupo. En el análisis de grupos se observaron diferencias en relación al sexo, año de estudio, IMC, consumo de alcohol, tabaquismo, síntomas de ansiedad/depresión, dieta mediterránea, situación de vida y etapa de cambio. Los resultados mostraron un aumento tanto en la actividad física como en el tiempo sentado a nivel mundial y por grupo

Nivel de información, opinión y actitudes personales de los estudiantes de ciencias sociales y de la salud de la Universidad de Castilla La Mancha (Campus de Ciudad Real) ante la donación y el trasplante de órganos

España ocupa una posición de privilegio en el mundo dentro del campo de la donación y trasplante de órganos. Las ratios de donaciones que se registran en nuestro país, así como el número de intervenciones y la excelente calidad de los equipos profesionales que intervienen en este proceso se encuentran efectivamente entre los más destacados del mundo. Asimismo, nuestro modelo organizativo (conocido como spanish model) ha revelado ser un modelo de éxito, capaz de optimizar la gestión del proceso de donación y trasplante y, de hecho, ha sido estudiado y adoptado por muchos otros países. Todo ello aconseja estudiar con detalle cuáles puedan ser las actitudes sociales que están determinando esa evolución, especialmente en el caso de comunidades como Castilla-La Mancha, que tradicionalmente han estado por debajo de las ratios de excelencia nacionales. Ciudad Real es una de las principales ciudades de esta Comunidad y alberga un tipo de población (estudiantes de Ciencias de la Salud, y diversas Ciencias Sociales) cuyas opiniones pueden tener una clara repercusión sobre este campo, tanto como futuros profesionales directamente implicados en el proceso, como en su papel de plausibles prescriptores de opinión. La carencia de una información suficiente, así como la excelente consideración de tanto de esta técnica terapéutica como de los donantes son las conclusiones más inmediatas que se desprenden de nuestro estudio. Pero son problemas que, al mismo tiempo, deberíamos contemplar como grandes oportunidades para mejorar el número de donaciones y, por tanto, de trasplantes de órganos. En este sentido, los participantes en la encuesta admitieron que los dos mayores obstáculos para convertirse en donantes de órganos son, en primer lugar, la ignorancia acerca del procedimiento administrativo y, en segundo lugar, el temor a un error en el diagnóstico de muerte. Resulta evidente que con una información adecuada ambos obstáculos serían removidos, de modo que podría esperarse un aumento significativo de la ratio de donaciones, toda vez que una amplísima mayoría mostró su predisposición a ello. La responsabilidad de la Universidad en tal empeño es evidente, sobre todo teniendo en cuenta que gran parte de la muestra estaba constituida por estudiantes de disciplinas directamente relacionadas con el proceso de donación y trasplante. Pensamos que, a la vista de la reconocida pobreza informativa, los esfuerzos de los centros por dar a conocer esta técnica terapéutica no han gozado hasta ahora del éxito que hubiera sido deseable, por lo que sería aconsejable repensar los mensajes enviados y los medios utilizados para hacerlos llegar a nuestro público objetivo, es decir, a los estudiantes. Aspectos tan medulares como la ausencia de aliciente económico alguno para ninguna persona implicada en el proceso de donación y trasplante, o que sean meros criterios clínicos los que decidan la asignación de los órganos extraídos, son al mismo tiempo los establecidos por la ley y los mantenidos por una amplia mayoría de los entrevistados. Coincidencia que se extiende a la opinión de que el destino de los órganos extraídos trascienda el ámbito geográfico más inmediato. Las negativas familiares a la extracción continúan siendo elevadas y además presentan una ligera tendencia al alza en los últimos años

Sleep Pattern Changes in Nursing Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown

The prevalence of poor sleep quality among students is very high and, in nursing students, has been associated with reduced performance, behavioral changes, dietary changes, and even aggressive behavior due to changes in sleep patterns. The lockdown in response to COVID-19 may have resulted in lifestyle changes that affected sleep quality. For this reason, the objective of this study is to determine the difference in nursing students&rsquo; sleep quality before and during the lockdown, put in place in response to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. To meet this objective, we conducted a longitudinal observational study on 207 nursing students, with two cut-off points (February and April). The main dependent variable was sleep quality, measured using the Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and its seven components. Parametric and nonparametric tests were used for paired and unpaired data, as well as group-stratified analysis. The mean time students spent in bed was 7.6 h (standard deviation (SD) = 1.1 h) before lockdown and 8.5 h (SD = 1.2 h) during lockdown. The PSQI score got 0.91 points worse during lockdown (95% CI, &minus;0.51, &minus;1.31). Of the five components, five were statistically significantly affected (p &le; 0.05), and of these, the most changed were sleep latency, sleep duration, and sleep efficiency. When stratified by group, we observed differences in women, first-year students, second-year students, alcohol consumers, those of normal weight, and those that live with family. The main conclusion is that although students spent more time in bed, overall sleep quality was worse during lockdown, as well as being worse in five of the seven components

Perceptions of Patients and Their Families Regarding Limitation of Therapeutic Effort in the Intensive Care Unit

Objective: Our objective was to determine and describe the opinion and attitudes of patients and their families regarding the limitation of therapeutic effort and advanced directives in critical patients and whether end-of-life planning occurs. Religious affiliation, education level, and pre-admission quality of life were also evaluated to determine whether they may influence decisions regarding appropriate therapeutic effort. Methods: A prospective, observational and descriptive study, approved by the center’s ethical committee, was carried out with 257 participants (94 patients and 163 family members) in the intensive care unit (ICU). A questionnaire regarding the opinions of patients and relatives about situations of therapeutic appropriateness in case of poor prognosis or poor quality of life was used. The questionnaire had three sections. In the first section, sociodemographic features were investigated. In the second section, information was collected on the quality of life and functional situation before ICU admission (taking as a reference the situation one month before admission) assessed by the Karnofsky scale, Barthel index, and the PAEEC scale (Project for the Epidemiological Analysis of Critical Care Patients). The third section aimed to determine whether the family knew the patient’s opinion regarding his/her end of life. Results: Of those interviewed, 62.2% would agree to limit treatment in case of poor prognosis or poor quality of future life. In contrast, 37.7% considered that they should fight for life, even if it is irretrievable. Only 1.6% had advanced directives registered, 43.9% of the participants admitted deterioration in their quality of life before ICU admission, 18.2% with moderate-severe deterioration. Our study shows that the higher the educational level, the lower the desire to fight for life when it is irretrievable and the greater the agreement to limit treatment. Besides, those participants not affiliated with a religion were significantly less likely to fight for life, including when irretrievable, than Catholics and were more likely to agree to limit treatment. Conclusions: More than half of the participants would agree to limit treatment in the case of a poor prognosis. Our results indicate that patients do not prepare for the dying process well in advance. Religion and educational level were determining factors for the choice of procedures at the end of life, both for patients and their families

Pathological Preoccupation with Healthy Eating (Orthorexia Nervosa) in a Spanish Sample with Vegetarian, Vegan, and Non-Vegetarian Dietary Patterns

Orthorexia nervosa (ON) has been defined as an obsessive and pathological attitude towards healthy nutrition. The aim of this study was to compare individuals who followed a vegan, vegetarian, and omnivore diet in terms of ON behaviors and to examine their prime motivations, attitudes, and behaviors towards food. The Spanish version of the ORTO-15 test — ORTO-11-ES — and the Food Choice Questionnaire (FCQ-SP) were used with a demographic questionnaire in an online survey disseminated among the social networks of different vegetarian associations and the general population. Of 466 individuals, 55% followed an omnivore diet, 23.5% were vegetarian and 21.7% were vegan. Results revealed relationships between type of diet and FCQ-SP dimensions for: health and natural content (H = 8.7, p < 0.05), sensory appeal (H = 11.4, p < 0.01), weight control (H = 40.4, p < 0.01), and familiarity (H = 37.3, p < 0.01). Our results confirm the findings of recent studies showing that individuals who follow a vegan or vegetarian diet are more likely to develop a pathological preoccupation with healthy eating versus omnivores. Further studies are required to determine the potential lines of action for the prevention of ON

Nursing students faced with organ donation: Multicenter stratified national study

Aim: To analyze the attitude of university nursing students at Spanish universities toward organ donation and transplantation and the factors affecting to their attitude. Background: The opinion of future nurses toward organ transplant donation could have an important influence on the population. Knowing that opinion and what factors influence it is important to improve the attitude towards organ donation and transplantation. Design: A multicenter, sociological, interdisciplinary and observational study including university nursing diploma students in a complete academic year. Methods: Selected and randomized sample was taken of students from 52 of the 111 faculties and nursing schools and faculties in Spain with teaching activity Participants: A sample of 10,566 students was selected stratified by geographical area and year. Measurement instrument: The instrument used was a validated questionnaire of attitude toward organ donation and transplantation, self-administered and completed anonymously. Results: Completion rate: 85 % (n = 9001). Of the students surveyed, 78 % (n = 7040) would donate their organs after dying. Variables related to a favourable attitude: (1) Interest in listening to a talk about organ donation and transplantation [Odds ratio 1.66, 95 % confidence interval 2.05–1.35]; (2) Family discussion [Odds ratio 2.30, 95 % confidence interval 2.79–1.90] or discussion with friends about organ donation and transplantation [Odds ratio 1.56, 95 % confidence interval 1.86–1.31]; (3) Knowing that one’s father [Odds ratio 1.54, 95 % confidence interval 1.94–1.22], mother’s [Odds ratio 1.44, 95 % confidence interval 1.82–1.13] or partner [Odds ratio 1.28, 95 % confidence interval 1.60–1.03] has a favourable opinion; (4) Having a good self-assessment of information about organ donation and transplantation [Odds ratio 2.94, 95 % confidence interval 4.90–1.78]; (5) Not being worried about possible mutilation of the body after donation [Odds ratio 2.73, 95 % confidence interval 3.36–1.72]. Conclusions: Nursing students in Spain tend to have a favourable attitude toward organ donation and trans- plantation although more than 20 % of those surveyed are not in favour. Tweetable Abstract: To maintain a high rate of organ donation for organ transplantation, it is necessary to improve the social awareness of future generations of nurses towards organ donation

Exploring Health Science Students' Notions on Organ Donation and Transplantation: A Multicenter Study.

The knowledge acquired during university education about organ donation and transplantation (ODT) decisively influences the information future health professionals transmit. This is important in ODT where the participation of the general public is essential to obtain organs. To determine notions of Spanish medicine and nursing students on ODT and its relationship with attitude toward ODT. and design. We conducted a sociologic, multicenter, and observational study. The population for our study consisted of medical and nursing students in Spanish universities. Our database was the Collaborative International Donor Project, stratified by geographic area and academic course. A validated questionnaire (PCID-DTO-RIOS) was self-administered and completed anonymously. Our sample consisted of 9598 medical and 10,566 nursing students (99% confidence interval; precision of ±1%), stratified by geographic area and year of study. The completion rate for our study was 90%. Only 20% (n=3640) of students thought their notions on ODT were good; 41% (n=7531) thought their notions were normal; 36% (n=6550) thought their notions were scarce. Comparing groups, there were differences between those who believed that their notions on ODT were good (44% nursing vs 56% medical students; P  Only 20% of Spanish medical and nursing students thought their notions on ODT were good. Having good knowledge is related to a favorable attitude towards ODT. Receiving specific information on the subject could improve their knowledge about ODT during their training