Diet and lifestyle factors associated with cognitive performance in college students

Dietary Intakes Among University Students in Iceland: Insights from the FINESCOP Project

Objectives: Using data from the Food Insecurity among European University Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic (FINESCOP) project, this study aims to investigate the dietary intakes among university students in Iceland, focusing specifically on their current diet after March 2020. Additionally, it examines correlations among different food groups to reveal associations in dietary patterns. Methods: The investigation uses data from the observational FINESCOP project in Iceland. Spearman's correlation coefficients were used to identify associations between different dietary intakes. p values show significance at a level of <0.05. Results: Icelandic university students have a low intake of vegetables and salad ("3-4 times per week", n = 159, 24.8%), fruit ("1-2 times per week", n = 164, 25.6%), and whole wheat ("3-4 times per week", n = 147, 23.2%). Lower than these was legume intake ("Never/seldom", n = 203, 32.0%). Meat and eggs were consumed more frequently ("3-4 times per week", n = 231, 36.3%) compared to fish and seafood ("1-2 times per week", n = 277, 43.5%). While the findings do indicate a significant correlation between vegetables and salad and fruit intake (p < 0.001) and between vegetable and salad and legume intake (p < 0.001), causal relationships cannot be established. Among discretionary foods, sweets and snacks were moderately and significantly correlated (p < 0.001). Conclusions: This study explores dietary intakes and correlations between dietary factors among university students in Iceland. Further research is needed to explore the potential for causal inferences and better understand these dietary behaviors of university students in Iceland.

Comparison Between Two Divergent Diets, Mediterranean and Western, on Gut Microbiota and Cognitive Function in Young Sprague Dawley Rats

Clinical studies strongly suggest the importance of diet quality on cognition in youth populations (15-24 years). The Mediterranean diet (MeDi) has been shown to improve cognition in contrast to the commonly consumed Western diet (WD). The gut microbiota may serve as a mechanism for diet-induced changes in cognition. Ten-week-old male Sprague Dawley rats were assigned a MeDi or WD (n=10/group) for 14 weeks. Prior to neurobehavior assessments, microbiota community composition was assessed. At the genus level, the relative abundance of four bacteria increased with the MeDi and five decreased compared to the WD. Rats in the MeDi group demonstrated cognitive flexibility and improvement in reference and working memory relative to the WD group. At the end of the study, serum cytokines were increased, and low-density lipoproteins were decreased in the MeDi group. Markers for neuroinflammation, blood-brain barrier, glial cells, and synaptic plasticity in brain regions did not differ between groups. Overall, the MeDi modulated gut microbiota, cognitive function, and serum lipid and cytokines but not gene expression in the brain compared to the WD. Further studies are needed to determine causality between diet-modulated gut microbiota, cognitive function, and immune function.

Healthy Lifestyle Related to Executive Functions in Chilean University Students: A Pilot Study

BACKGROUND

A negative lifestyle is reported to be related to cognitive problems. However, there is little information about this in relation to university students. The objective of the present study was to investigate the association between executive functions (EFs) and lifestyle parameters (i.e., physical activity (PA), sleep duration, screen time (ST), and food habits) among Chilean university students.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included a total of 150 university students (94 females and 56 males, aged 21.28 ± 3.15 and 22.18 ± 2.90 years, respectively). Cognitive outcomes were measured using the CogniFit assessment battery. Lifestyle was measured through validated questionnaires.

RESULTS

Across the total sample, attention exhibited a positive association with PA h/week (β: 24.34 95% CI: 12.46 to 36.22, p = 0.001). Additionally, coordination was positively associated with PA h/week (β: 15.06 95% CI: 0.62 to 29.50, p < 0.041). PA h/week was positively linked with reasoning (β: 20.34 95% CI: 4.52 to 36.17, p = 0.012) and perception (β: 13.81 95% CI: 4.14 to 23.49, p = 0.005). Moreover, PA h/week was significantly linked to memory (β: 23.01 95% CI: 7.62 to 38.40, p = 0.004). In terms of the EFs, PA h/week showed a positive association with cognitive flexibility (β: 45.60 95% CI: 23.22 to 67.69, p = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

In conclusion, lifestyle (PA h/week) was positively associated with EFs. Therefore, an increase in PA levels among these students should be a target for community- and university-based interventions in order to promote cognitive development such as attention, coordination, reasoning, perception, memory, and cognitive flexibility.

Dietary Habits and Gaming Behaviors of Portuguese and Brazilian Esports Players

As the esports industry grows, marketing campaigns for fast food, soft drinks, alcoholic and energy drinks, and dietary supplements at related events intensify. Portuguese and Brazilian esports players' dietary patterns remain unexplored. This study aimed to characterize the dietary and gaming habits of esports players. We applied an anonymous, open online survey to a convenience sample of esports players that included the PREDIMED and the Internet Gaming Disorder Scale. The survey was shared through email and social media platforms, including Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Discord, WhatsApp, and Twitch. The sample (n = 579) was predominantly male (91.4%), averaged 26.1 (SD = 7.0) years, and 25.9 (SD = 5.5) kg/m2. Most reported a weak (53.7%) adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Almost a third (32.3%) consumed dietary supplements. Our sample presented a low adhesion to the Mediterranean dietary pattern, low consumption of fruit and vegetables, and high consumption of fast food, red and processed meat, soft drinks, and dietary supplements, including caffeine-based supplements. Dietary supplement consumption was related to a higher adhesion to the Mediterranean diet, and a higher level of professionalization and internet gaming disorder correlated with a lower adhesion. In conclusion, we infer that Portuguese and Brazilian esports players follow an unbalanced diet.

The association between academic performance indicators and lifestyle behaviors among Kuwaiti college students

BACKGROUND

Lifestyle behaviors are developed during young adulthood and carried through life. Accordingly, early detection of unhealthy behaviors can help prevent the increase in non-communicable diseases in the population. College students are an especially vulnerable group who, upon entering a new environment, tend to engage in unhealthy behaviors.

OBJECTIVE

The present study aims to evaluate the lifestyle behaviors of Kuwaiti college students and their association with markers of academic achievements.

METHODS

One thousand two hundred fifty-nine students participated in the present study and answered an online questionnaire pertaining to their sociodemographic status, academic performance indicators, body weight and height, and lifestyle behaviors. Data were collected from November 2020 to February 2021.

RESULTS

Results of the present study showed that obesity was significantly more prevalent among male participants than among females even though males were more physically active. Alternatively, females had a greater grade point average in college, slept more, and had more screen time. Interestingly, we were unable to detect a significant correlation between lifestyle behaviors and academic achievements.

CONCLUSION

The observed differences in body mass index between genders may have been attributed to energy intake rather than energy expenditure.