{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]],"date-time":"2026-09-11T05:07:16Z","timestamp":1789103236508,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":81,"publisher":"MDPI AG","issue":"18","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,8]],"date-time":"2026-09-08T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1788825600000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":[],"crossmark-restriction":false},"short-container-title":["Nutrients"],"abstract":"<jats:p>Background\/Objectives: University students are particularly vulnerable to unhealthy lifestyle behaviours, including poor dietary habits, insufficient physical activity, and prolonged sedentary time. While these three behaviours have each been extensively studied individually, the extent to which they have been jointly investigated as distinct constructs in the same undergraduate populations remains unclear. This scoping review aimed to map the available evidence jointly addressing dietary habits, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity among undergraduate university students. Methods: Following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines, a systematic search was conducted on PubMed and Scopus (search date: 27 June 2026), covering records published between 2014 and 2026 in English. Studies were eligible if they measured all three constructs (diet, sedentary behaviour, and physical activity) as distinct outcomes in undergraduate populations aged 18 years or older. Results: Of 1910 records identified, 70 studies met the eligibility criteria, comprising 62 primary studies and 8 ongoing study protocols. The primary studies spanned 26 countries across five continents, and most used cross-sectional designs; only one intervention study was identified. Across studies, inadequate diet, low physical activity, and elevated sedentary time were common and frequently co-occurred within individuals, with associations reported for mental health, body image, and weight-related outcomes. Sedentary behaviour was the construct most often absent from otherwise relevant studies and was consistently elevated when measured. Conclusions: Across the 62 primary studies spanning 26 countries, a broadly consistent pattern of suboptimal diet, insufficient physical activity, and elevated sedentary time was observed among undergraduate students.<\/jats:p>","DOI":"10.3390\/nu18182947","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,8]],"date-time":"2026-09-08T13:46:33Z","timestamp":1788875193000},"page":"2947","update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/mdpi_crossmark_policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Nutrition, Sedentary Behaviour and Physical Activity in Undergraduate Students: A Scoping Review with PRISMA-ScR Checklist"],"prefix":"10.3390","volume":"18","author":[{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0008-7910-0886","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Mariasole Antonietta","family":"Guerriero","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Humanistic Studies, University of Foggia, 71121 Foggia, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rita","family":"Polito","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology and Health Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0005-4566-6417","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Nicola","family":"Mancini","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0009-8422-3837","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Antonietta","family":"Monda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Human Science and Quality of Life Promotion, San Raffaele Telematic University, 00166 Rome, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Antonietta","family":"Messina","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Precision Medicine, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 80138 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0003-9583-9203","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Maria","family":"Ruberto","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Salvatore","family":"Allocca","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 80138 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-7488-8493","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marco La","family":"Marra","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 80138 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5627-0267","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Pasquale","family":"Perrone","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology and Health Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0001-6305-2092","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Girolamo","family":"Di Maio","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Psychology and Health Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0009-0001-7212-0285","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Maria","family":"Casillo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Mario","family":"Ruggiero","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Medical, Human Movement and Well-Being Sciences, University of Naples Parthenope, Via Medina 40, 80133 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Yuri","family":"Russo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Law, Economics and Human Sciences (DiGiES), Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via dell\u2019Universit\u00e0, 25, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-0011-867X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Giovanni","family":"Messina","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 80138 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-7184-218X","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Marcellino","family":"Monda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Unit of Dietetics and Sports Medicine, Section of Human Physiology, Department of Experimental Medicine, University of Campania \u201cLuigi Vanvitelli\u201d, 80138 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Vincenzo","family":"Monda","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Economics, Law, Cybersecurity and Sports Sciences, University of Naples \u201cParthenope\u201d, 80131 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0002-5217-4710","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Filomena","family":"Mazzeo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Law, Economics and Human Sciences (DiGiES), Mediterranea University of Reggio Calabria, Via dell\u2019Universit\u00e0, 25, 89124 Reggio Calabria, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Maria Giovanna","family":"Tafuri","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Literary, Linguistic and Philosophical Studies, Pegaso University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"ORCID":"https:\/\/orcid.org\/0000-0003-1274-0332","authenticated-orcid":false,"given":"Fiorenzo","family":"Moscatelli","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Department of Education and Sport Sciences, Pegaso Telematic University, 80143 Naples, Italy"}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1968","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,8]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref_1","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1451","DOI":"10.1136\/bjsports-2020-102955","article-title":"World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour","volume":"54","author":"Bull","year":"2020","journal-title":"Br. J. Sports Med."},{"key":"ref_2","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"53","DOI":"10.1017\/S0954422424000088","article-title":"Addressing nutritional issues and eating behaviours among university students: A narrative review","volume":"38","author":"Almoraie","year":"2025","journal-title":"Nutr. Res. Rev."},{"key":"ref_3","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Moscatelli, F., De Maria, A., Marinaccio, L.A., Monda, V., Messina, A., Monacis, D., Toto, G., Limone, P., Monda, M., and Messina, G. (2023). Assessment of Lifestyle, Eating Habits and the Effect of Nutritional Education among Undergraduate Students in Southern Italy. Nutrients, 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu15132894"},{"key":"ref_4","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"539","DOI":"10.1007\/s00038-015-0680-0","article-title":"Physical inactivity and associated factors among university students in 23 low-, middle- and high-income countries","volume":"60","author":"Pengpid","year":"2015","journal-title":"Int. J. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_5","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Pfisterer, J., Rausch, C., Wohlfarth, D., Bachert, P., Jekauc, D., and Wunsch, K. (2022). Effectiveness of Physical-Activity-Based Interventions Targeting Overweight and Obesity among University Students-A Systematic Review. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.20944\/preprints202207.0059.v1"},{"key":"ref_6","first-page":"42","article-title":"Current Concept of Obesity","volume":"9","author":"Mazzeo","year":"2016","journal-title":"Sport Sci."},{"key":"ref_7","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guerriero, M.A., Dipace, A., Monda, A., De Maria, A., Polito, R., Messina, G., Monda, M., di Padova, M., Basta, A., and Ruberto, M. (2025). Relationship Between Sedentary Lifestyle, Physical Activity and Stress in University Students and Their Life Habits: A Scoping Review with PRISMA Checklist (PRISMA-ScR). Brain Sci., 15.","DOI":"10.3390\/brainsci15010078"},{"key":"ref_8","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"19","DOI":"10.1080\/1364557032000119616","article-title":"Scoping studies: Towards a methodological framework","volume":"8","author":"Arksey","year":"2005","journal-title":"Int. J. Soc. Res. Methodol."},{"key":"ref_9","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"467","DOI":"10.7326\/M18-0850","article-title":"PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR): Checklist and Explanation","volume":"169","author":"Tricco","year":"2018","journal-title":"Ann. Intern. Med."},{"key":"ref_10","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alkhalidy, H., Orabi, A., Alzboun, T., Alnaser, K., Al-Shami, I., and Al-Bayyari, N. (2021). Health-Risk Behaviors and Dietary Patterns Among Jordanian College Students: A Pilot Study. Front. Nutr., 8.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2021.632035"},{"key":"ref_11","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alothman, S.A., Al Baiz, A.A., Alzaben, A.S., Khan, R., Alamri, A.F., and Omer, A.B. (2024). Factors Associated with Lifestyle Behaviors among University Students\u2014A Cross-Sectional Study. Healthcare, 12.","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare12020154"},{"key":"ref_12","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"268","DOI":"10.1007\/s40200-025-01789-0","article-title":"Lifestyle and non-communicable diseases risk factors: Changes in nutrition, sleep patterns, tobacco use, mental health, and physical activity during the first three years of university: Study protocol","volume":"24","author":"Azizpour","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Diabetes Metab. Disord."},{"key":"ref_13","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e70003","DOI":"10.1002\/hpja.70003","article-title":"A Qualitative Investigation of University Student\u2019s Perceptions of Health Behaviours and Associations With Educational Outcomes Through the Lens of the WHO Framework on Health Behaviours and Educational Outcomes","volume":"36","author":"Babaeer","year":"2025","journal-title":"Health Promot. J. Aust."},{"key":"ref_14","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e56749","DOI":"10.2196\/56749","article-title":"Rationale, Design, and Baseline Characteristics of Participants in the Health@NUS mHealth Augmented Cohort Study Examining Student-to-Work Life Transition: Protocol for a Prospective Cohort Study","volume":"13","author":"Chua","year":"2024","journal-title":"JMIR Res. Protoc."},{"key":"ref_15","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Dahl, A.A., Fandetti, S.M., Moore-Harrison, T., Barojas Chavarria, R., Raya, M., and Racine, E.F. (2025). The campus healthy lifestyles, outcomes and experiences study: Protocol for an observational assessment of college students\u2019 health. Front. Public Health, 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2025.1593943"},{"key":"ref_16","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Domaradzki, J. (2026). Family Affluence and Lifestyle Behaviors as Determinants of Fat Mass Index in University Students: A Sex-Specific Structural Equation Modeling Approach. Nutrients, 18.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu18050730"},{"key":"ref_17","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ferrara, M., Langiano, E., Falese, L., Diotaiuti, P., Cortis, C., and De Vito, E. (2022). Changes in Physical Activity Levels and Eating Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic Analysis in University Students. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph19095550"},{"key":"ref_18","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"443","DOI":"10.1590\/1516-3180.2021.0138.r2.120321","article-title":"Impact of lifestyle on health-related quality of life among young university students: A cross-sectional study","volume":"139","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sao Paulo Med. J."},{"key":"ref_19","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Giner, M.P., Gonz\u00e1lez-Serrano, B.P., Pardo, A., Aguilar-Mart\u00ednez, A., Gomez-Donoso, C., Ventura, P.S., Esquius, L., Bosque-Prous, M., and Bach-Faig, A. (2026). Adherence to healthy and sustainable diets and health-related behaviors in a Spanish online university setting. Front. Nutr., 13.","DOI":"10.3389\/fnut.2026.1757733"},{"key":"ref_20","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guti\u00e9rrez-Espinoza, H., Cassola-Cajiao, M., Garz\u00f3n-Ulloa, E., Celi-Lalama, D., Araya-Quintanilla, F., Valenzuela-Fuenzalida, J., and L\u00f3pez-Gil, J.F. (2025). Changes in the lifestyle behavior and anthropometrics of university students after the first year: A one-year prospective observational study. Front. Sports Act. Living, 7.","DOI":"10.3389\/fspor.2025.1499828"},{"key":"ref_21","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"K\u00f6nig, D., Jendricke, P., Poggel, K., Staab, L., and Gollhofer, A. (2023). Study protocol for evaluating the current status and needs assessment of health-related characteristics among students at Albert-Ludwigs-University Freiburg. PLoS ONE, 18.","DOI":"10.1371\/journal.pone.0295166"},{"key":"ref_22","first-page":"51","article-title":"Behavioural and environmental determinants of overweight\/obesity among Malaysian young adults: A mixed methods study using the Health Belief Model","volume":"17","author":"Lee","year":"2026","journal-title":"Nutrire"},{"key":"ref_23","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Maitiniyazi, G., Dilimulati, M., Abulaiti, R., Nijiati, Z., Tuergong, N., Ma, T., Li, C., and Xia, S. (2025). Clustering of lifestyle factors and the relationship with mental health among college students: A latent profile analysis. BMC Public Health, 25.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-025-24501-6"},{"key":"ref_24","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Nascimento-Ferreira, M.V., Marin, K.A., Abr\u00e3o Ferreira, R.K., Oliveira, L.F., Bandeira, A.C., Silva Sousa, P., Miranda de Sousa, J., de Almeida Cardoso, A.G., Concei\u00e7\u00e3o da Silva, L.C., and Rosa, A.C.A. (2022). 24 h movement behavior and metabolic syndrome study protocol: A prospective cohort study on lifestyle and risk of developing metabolic syndrome in undergraduate students from low-income regions during a pandemic. Front. Epidemiol., 2.","DOI":"10.3389\/fepid.2022.1010832"},{"key":"ref_25","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Onell, C., Asker, M., Wiberg, H., C\u00f4t\u00e9, P., Johansson, F., Sundberg, T., Edlund, K., and Skillgate, E. (2025). An unhealthy lifestyle and incident activity-limiting neck and back problems in university students: The Sustainable UNiversity Life (SUN) study. BMC Public Health, 25.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-025-25478-y"},{"key":"ref_26","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ram\u00f3n-Arbu\u00e9s, E., Granada-L\u00f3pez, J.-M., Mart\u00ednez-Abad\u00eda, B., Ech\u00e1niz-Serrano, E., Ant\u00f3n-Solanas, I., and Jerue, B.A. (2021). Factors Related to Diet Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1055 University Students. Nutrients, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13103512"},{"key":"ref_27","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"228","DOI":"10.1016\/j.smhs.2021.08.005","article-title":"Effects of COVID-19 pandemic and quarantine period on physical activity and dietary habits of college-aged students","volume":"3","author":"Sidebottom","year":"2021","journal-title":"Sports Med. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_28","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"914","DOI":"10.1017\/S0007114521001483","article-title":"Risk factors of overweight\/obesity-related lifestyles in university students: Results from the EHU12\/24 study","volume":"127","year":"2022","journal-title":"Br. J. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_29","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Tom\u00e1s-Gallego, G., Dalmau-Torres, J.M., Jim\u00e9nez-Boraita, R., Ortu\u00f1o-Sierra, J., and Gargallo-Ibort, E. (2025). Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet in Spanish University Students: Association with Lifestyle Habits, Mental and Emotional Well-Being. Nutrients, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17040698"},{"key":"ref_30","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e2022301","DOI":"10.1590\/1516-3180.2022.0301.r1.10102022","article-title":"Age, skin color, self-rated health, and depression associated with co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors in university students: A cross-sectional study","volume":"141","author":"Barbosa","year":"2023","journal-title":"Sao Paulo Med. J."},{"key":"ref_31","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Barbosa, B.C.R., de Deus Mendon\u00e7a, R., Machado, E.L., and Meireles, A.L. (2024). Co-occurrence of obesogenic behaviors and their implications for mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic: A study with university students. BMC Public Health, 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-19031-6"},{"key":"ref_32","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"11897","DOI":"10.1038\/s41598-026-41354-0","article-title":"Associations between body image changes and modifiable behavioral variables among university students in the context of COVID-19 pandemic","volume":"16","year":"2026","journal-title":"Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_33","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"a3577","DOI":"10.4102\/phcfm.v14i1.3577","article-title":"Qualitative study exploring perceptions, attitudes and practices of adolescent university students in Lagos, Nigeria, towards a healthy lifestyle","volume":"14","author":"Menakaya","year":"2022","journal-title":"Afr. J. Prim. Health Care Fam. Med."},{"key":"ref_34","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Zheng, S., Chua, X.H., Edney, S.M., Goh, C.M., Tai, B.C., Chia, J., Koek, D., van Dam, R.M., and M\u00fcller-Riemenschneider, F. (2025). Movement and dietary behaviours and mental health among university students: The Health@NUS study. BMC Public Health, 25.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-025-24340-5"},{"key":"ref_35","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e21342","DOI":"10.2196\/21342","article-title":"Discriminating Metabolic Health Status in a Cohort of Nursing Students: Protocol for a Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"9","author":"West","year":"2020","journal-title":"JMIR Res. Protoc."},{"key":"ref_36","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2055207620979458","DOI":"10.1177\/2055207620979458","article-title":"Formative work to design a digital learning self-assessment and feedback tool to prevent weight gain among college students","volume":"6","author":"Napolitano","year":"2020","journal-title":"Digit. Health"},{"key":"ref_37","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Heller, S., Reichel, J.L., M\u00fclder, L.M., Sch\u00e4fer, M., Schwab, L., Werner, A.M., Letzel, S., Rigotti, T., and Dietz, P. (2024). The association between health behaviours and academic performance moderated by trait mindfulness amongst university students: An observational study. Front. Public Health, 12.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2024.1340235"},{"key":"ref_38","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Coll Campayo, I., Servera Fuster, M., and L\u00f3pez-Safont, N. (2026). Lifestyle, health behavior, and oral health differences among dentistry, nutrition, and fine arts university students. Front. Public Health, 14.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1764709"},{"key":"ref_39","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"101743","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmedr.2022.101743","article-title":"Changes in college students\u2019 health behaviors and substance use after a brief wellness intervention during COVID-19","volume":"26","author":"Pfledderer","year":"2022","journal-title":"Prev. Med. Rep."},{"key":"ref_40","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"392","DOI":"10.4067\/s0717-75182023000400392","article-title":"Dietary patterns associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior in university students in Mexico","volume":"50","year":"2023","journal-title":"Rev. Chil. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_41","first-page":"e49188","article-title":"Exploring Behavioral Risk Factors for Non-communicable Diseases Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Western Gujarat: A Cross-Sectional Study","volume":"15","author":"M","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_42","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2180","DOI":"10.1080\/07448481.2022.2104615","article-title":"Health behavior and anxiety changes during the COVID-19 pandemic among students, faculty, and staff at a US university","volume":"72","author":"Thiria","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. Am. Coll. Health J. ACH"},{"key":"ref_43","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Romero-Blanco, C., Rodr\u00edguez-Almagro, J., Onieva-Zafra, M.D., Parra-Fern\u00e1ndez, M.L., Prado-Laguna, M.D.C., and Hern\u00e1ndez-Mart\u00ednez, A. (2020). Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph17186567"},{"key":"ref_44","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"2609","DOI":"10.1017\/S1368980019000995","article-title":"Weight status, physical activity and eating habits of young adults in Midwest Brazil","volume":"22","author":"Monteiro","year":"2019","journal-title":"Public Health Nutr."},{"key":"ref_45","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"1517","DOI":"10.1016\/j.clnu.2019.06.015","article-title":"Combined effect of physical activity and sedentary behavior on body composition in university students","volume":"39","author":"Mahfouz","year":"2020","journal-title":"Clin. Nutr."},{"key":"ref_46","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mudarra-Garc\u00eda, N., P\u00e9rez-Mudarra, M., Ortu\u00f1o-Soriano, I., Bad\u00eda-Iborra, R., Vicente-Gal\u00e1n, M.J., Zaragoza-Garc\u00eda, I., Roque-Rojas, F., and Garc\u00eda-S\u00e1nchez, F.J. (2025). Impact of Exams on Diet, Physical Activity, and Body Composition in University Students. Nutrients, 17.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu17111929"},{"key":"ref_47","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Woodman, A., Coffey, M., Cooper-Ryan, A.-M., and Jaoua, N. (2024). The relationship between lifestyle habits and obesity among students in the Eastern province of Saudi Arabia: Using the Arab Teens Lifestyle (ATLS) questionnaire. BMC Public Health, 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-19353-5"},{"key":"ref_48","first-page":"e2022312","article-title":"Lifestyle changes during the first and second waves of the COVID-19 pandemic in medical college students: Are there gender-related differences?","volume":"93","author":"Coppi","year":"2022","journal-title":"Acta Biomed."},{"key":"ref_49","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Rafraf, M., Molani-Gol, R., and Sahebjam, M. (2023). Effect of COVID-19 pandemic on eating habits and lifestyle of college students in Tabriz, Iran: A cross-sectional study. Front. Public Health, 11.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2023.1185681"},{"key":"ref_50","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Ram\u00f3n-Arbu\u00e9s, E., Ech\u00e1niz-Serrano, E., Mart\u00ednez-Abad\u00eda, B., Ant\u00f3n-Solanas, I., Cobos-Rinc\u00f3n, A., Santolalla-Arnedo, I., Ju\u00e1rez-Vela, R., and Adam Jerue, B. (2022). Predictors of the Quality of Life of University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 19.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph191912043"},{"key":"ref_51","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"111","DOI":"10.2105\/AJPH.2014.302094","article-title":"Disparities in weight and weight behaviors by sexual orientation in college students","volume":"105","author":"Laska","year":"2015","journal-title":"Am. J. Public Health"},{"key":"ref_52","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Noonil, N., Darakai, H., Hasan, M.K.B.C., Narkkul, U., and Kunset, P. (2026). Dietary Patterns and Sociodemographic Determinants of Underweight and Excess Body Weight Among Nursing Students in Southern Thailand. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 23.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph23070900"},{"key":"ref_53","first-page":"1","article-title":"A profile of physical activity, sedentary behaviors, sleep, and dietary habits of Saudi college female students","volume":"26","author":"Alzamil","year":"2019","journal-title":"J. Fam. Community Med."},{"key":"ref_54","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Alshehri, M.M., Alqhtani, A.M., Gharawi, S.H., Sharahily, R.A., Fathi, W.A., Alnamy, S.G., Alothman, S.A., Alshehri, Y.S., Alhowimel, A.S., and Alqahtani, B.A. (2023). Prevalence of lower back pain and its associations with lifestyle behaviors among college students in Saudi Arabia. BMC Musculoskelet. Disord., 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12891-023-06683-5"},{"key":"ref_55","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"12","DOI":"10.3390\/clockssleep3010002","article-title":"Health behaviors of higher education students from 7 countries: Poorer sleep quality during the COVID-19 pandemic predicts higher dietary risk","volume":"3","author":"Du","year":"2021","journal-title":"Clocks Sleep"},{"key":"ref_56","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Hutchesson, M.J., Duncan, M.J., Oftedal, S., Ashton, L.M., Oldmeadow, C., Kay-Lambkin, F., and Whatnall, M.C. (2021). Latent class analysis of multiple health risk behaviors among Australian university students and associations with psychological distress. Nutrients, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/nu13020425"},{"key":"ref_57","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Monteiro, J., Cabral, J., Pinto, R., Pinto, M.L., and Santos, I. (2026). Ultra-processed food consumption among university students: Application of front-of-package-based nutrient profiling scores and associations with physical activity and body composition. BMC Nutr., 12.","DOI":"10.1186\/s40795-026-01294-4"},{"key":"ref_58","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"181","DOI":"10.1249\/mss.0b013e31815a51b3","article-title":"Physical activity in the United States measured by accelerometer","volume":"40","author":"Troiano","year":"2008","journal-title":"Med. Sci. Sports Exerc."},{"key":"ref_59","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Caama\u00f1o-Navarrete, F., Arriagada-Hern\u00e1ndez, C., Fuentes-Vilugr\u00f3n, G., Guzm\u00e1n-Guzm\u00e1n, I.P., Jara-Tomckowiack, L., Jerez-Mayorga, D., Del-Cuerpo, I., Contreras-D\u00edaz, G., Hern\u00e1ndez-Mosqueira, C., and Vargas, C.A. (2025). Association between lifestyle parameters, quality of life, and satisfaction with life in Chilean university students. Healthcare, 13.","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare13161950"},{"key":"ref_60","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"301","DOI":"10.3934\/publichealth.2017.3.301","article-title":"The Association of Dietary Behaviors and Physical Activity Levels with General and Central Obesity among ASEAN University Students","volume":"4","author":"Peltzer","year":"2017","journal-title":"AIMS Public Health"},{"key":"ref_61","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e052451","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2021-052451","article-title":"Weight gain in Chinese youth during a 4-month COVID-19 lockdown: A retrospective observational study","volume":"11","author":"Dun","year":"2021","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"key":"ref_62","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"66","DOI":"10.15280\/jlm.2025.15.2.66","article-title":"Influence of dietary habits and lifestyle practices on the health and well-being of university students: A survey investigation","volume":"15","author":"Khajuria","year":"2025","journal-title":"J. Lifestyle Med."},{"key":"ref_63","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Savage, M.J., Procter, E.L., Magistro, D., Hennis, P.J., Donaldson, J., Leslie-Walker, A., Jones, B.A., and James, R.M. (2024). Characterising the activity, lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes of UK university students: An observational cohort study with a focus on gender and ethnicity. BMC Public Health, 24.","DOI":"10.1186\/s12889-024-20911-0"},{"key":"ref_64","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"102627","DOI":"10.1016\/j.pmedr.2024.102627","article-title":"The role of lifestyle and mental health in the weight change of higher vocational college students in Fuzhou, China during COVID-19","volume":"38","author":"Li","year":"2024","journal-title":"Prev. Med. Rep."},{"key":"ref_65","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Li, Y., Liang, J., Ma, J., Jia, Z., Li, X., and Su, Q. (2026). Musculoskeletal pain in university students: Lifestyle determinants of prevalence and burden. Front. Public Health, 14.","DOI":"10.3389\/fpubh.2026.1831482"},{"key":"ref_66","first-page":"68","article-title":"Health-related lifestyles among Italian university students: A cross-sectional study","volume":"46","author":"Bravini","year":"2022","journal-title":"Epidemiol. Prev."},{"key":"ref_67","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Yoshida, A. (2026). Nutritional and behavioral factors associated with the occurrence and duration of winter weight gain. Nutr. Health, 2601060261432864.","DOI":"10.1177\/02601060261432864"},{"key":"ref_68","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"17","DOI":"10.1080\/08870446.2024.2390027","article-title":"Sleep, movement, and dietary behaviours: The mediating role of affect","volume":"41","author":"Zhong","year":"2026","journal-title":"Psychol. Health"},{"key":"ref_69","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"725","DOI":"10.4067\/s0034-98872023000600725","article-title":"Life-style behavior upon admission to higher education in Chilean university students: A longitudinal observational study","volume":"151","author":"Rosati","year":"2023","journal-title":"Rev. Med. Chile"},{"key":"ref_70","first-page":"e43371","article-title":"Impact of COVID-19 on the lifestyle of students of Taibah University, Madinah","volume":"15","author":"Elsayed","year":"2023","journal-title":"Cureus"},{"key":"ref_71","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"3287","DOI":"10.2147\/RMHP.S317440","article-title":"Physical Inactivity as a Pandemic: Daily Activities and Dietary Practices","volume":"14","author":"Sisay","year":"2021","journal-title":"Risk Manag. Healthc. Policy"},{"key":"ref_72","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Abdul Rahman, H., Julaini, N.N., Zaim, S.N.N., Masri, N.A., and Abdul-Mumin, K.H. (2023). Mental wellbeing and health-risk behaviours of university students in Brunei: A cross-sectional study during COVID-19 pandemic. Healthcare, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare11162327"},{"key":"ref_73","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e70259","DOI":"10.1002\/hsr2.70259","article-title":"Food consumption patterns and sedentary behaviors among university students: A cross-sectional study","volume":"7","author":"Akter","year":"2024","journal-title":"Health Sci. Rep."},{"key":"ref_74","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e17875","DOI":"10.7717\/peerj.17875","article-title":"Associations of 24-hour movement guidelines adherence with fruit and vegetable intake in university students","volume":"12","author":"Zhang","year":"2024","journal-title":"PeerJ"},{"key":"ref_75","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"69","DOI":"10.1177\/0260106020960863","article-title":"Weight status, dietary habits, physical activity, screen time and sleep duration among university students","volume":"27","author":"Benaich","year":"2021","journal-title":"Nutr. Health"},{"key":"ref_76","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"942","DOI":"10.4314\/ahs.v21i2.56","article-title":"University students\u2019 perceptions and factors contributing to obesity and overweigh in Southern of Morocco","volume":"21","author":"Boukrim","year":"2021","journal-title":"Afr. Health Sci."},{"key":"ref_77","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Mat\u00e9-Mu\u00f1oz, J.L., Hern\u00e1ndez-Lougedo, J., Ruiz-Tovar, J., Olivares-Llorente, R., Garc\u00eda-Fern\u00e1ndez, P., and Zapata, I. (2023). Physical Activity Levels, Eating Habits, and Well-Being Measures in Students of Healthcare Degrees in the Second Year of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Healthcare, 11.","DOI":"10.3390\/healthcare11111570"},{"key":"ref_78","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Xu, X., Pu, Y., Sharma, M., Rao, Y., Cai, Y., and Zhao, Y. (2017). Predicting Physical Activity and Healthy Nutrition Behaviors Using Social Cognitive Theory: Cross-Sectional Survey among Undergraduate Students in Chongqing, China. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health, 14.","DOI":"10.3390\/ijerph14111346"},{"key":"ref_79","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"265","DOI":"10.1139\/apnm-2020-0990","article-title":"The impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on university students\u2019 dietary intake, physical activity, and sedentary behaviour","volume":"46","author":"Bertrand","year":"2021","journal-title":"Appl. Physiol. Nutr. Metab."},{"key":"ref_80","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","first-page":"e085006","DOI":"10.1136\/bmjopen-2024-085006","article-title":"UNIversity students\u2019 LIFEstyle behaviours and Mental health cohort (UNILIFE-M): Study protocol of a multicentre, prospective cohort study","volume":"16","author":"Schuch","year":"2026","journal-title":"BMJ Open"},{"key":"ref_81","doi-asserted-by":"crossref","unstructured":"Guti\u00e9rrez-Espinoza, H., Cassola-Cajiao, M., Garz\u00f3n-Ulloa, E., Celi-Lalama, D., Bastidas-Caldes, C., Araya-Quintanilla, F., Cristi-Montero, C., and L\u00f3pez-Gil, J.F. (2024). Lifestyle behavior of physiotherapy students from Ecuador upon admission to higher education: A cross-sectional study. Front. Sports Act. Living, 6.","DOI":"10.3389\/fspor.2024.1352144"}],"container-title":["Nutrients"],"original-title":[],"language":"en","link":[{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/18\/18\/2947\/pdf","content-type":"unspecified","content-version":"vor","intended-application":"similarity-checking"}],"deposited":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,11]],"date-time":"2026-09-11T04:32:38Z","timestamp":1789101158000},"score":1,"resource":{"primary":{"URL":"https:\/\/www.mdpi.com\/2072-6643\/18\/18\/2947"}},"subtitle":[],"short-title":[],"issued":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,8]]},"references-count":81,"journal-issue":{"issue":"18","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9]]}},"alternative-id":["nu18182947"],"URL":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3390\/nu18182947","relation":{},"ISSN":["2072-6643"],"issn-type":[{"value":"2072-6643","type":"electronic"}],"subject":[],"published":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,8]]}}}