Cross-Sectional Analysis of Colombian University Students' Perceptions of Mental Health during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Repercussions on Academic Achievement.

BACKGROUND: During the COVID-19 pandemic, the increase in academic activities at home negatively impacted mental health, due to significant levels of stress, anxiety, and depression. We investigated the association of depression and anxiety with university students' academic performance during the COVID-19 lockdown in Bucaramanga, Colombia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted through an online survey during the lockdown, through the use of the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and the grade-point average. RESULTS: 1090 females, out of 1957 students, with mean age 22.2 ± 5.3 years, participated in the study. The prevalence of low academic performance was higher in men (4.7% p = 0.014). As for mental health, 2.5% of the students were classified as "definite cases" of anxiety and 8.2% were diagnosed with depression. Women with a low academic performance had a greater percentage of being "definite cases" (3.8%) of anxiety as compared to men (1.1%). Regarding depression, in men, 12.2% of those with low academic performance were "definite cases" (6.9% p < 0.05); in females with low academic performance, 10.1% were "definite cases" of depression, according to the Poisson regression analysis. The probability of low performance was 100% higher for women identified as "doubtful cases" of depression (PR = 2.0; 95% CI: 1.10-5.18, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS: A positive association between the severity of anxiety/depression and lower grades, especially in women, was found. Mental health should be a special concern when considering university students, in order to improve their academic performance.

Actividad física en adultos: recomendaciones: determinantes y medición / Physical activity in adults: recommendations: determinants and measurement

RESUMEN Introducción: Diversos estudios a través del tiempo han demostrado los potenciales beneficios de la práctica de la Actividad Física (AF); sin embargo, también se han identificado algunos de sus moduladores conocidos como determinantes que modifican su práctica. Objetivo: Recopilar y resumir la información disponible sobre la importancia de la actividad física, su definición, determinantes y métodos de evaluación en adultos, así como establecer el desarrollo de las recomendaciones a lo largo del tiempo. Material y Métodos: Se realizó una búsqueda en bases de datos entre el período comprendido entre 1996 y 2019, con términos de búsqueda en inglés y español de actividad física, recomendaciones, determinantes. Se incluyeron artículos relacionados con adultos y se excluyeron aquellos sobre niños y adolescentes. Desarrollo: Las recomendaciones han evolucionado desde 1978 del Colegio Americano de Medicina Deportiva (ACSM) con unas especificaciones muy generales como prácticas AF de 3 a 5 días por semana con una intensidad de 60 por ciento al 90 por ciento de la Frecuencia Cardíaca de Reserva (FCR) hasta las más recientes recomendaciones de 2018 realizadas por el Centro para el Control y la Prevención de Enfermedades (CDC). Dentro de los métodos de evaluación se encuentra criterio, objetivos y subjetivos. Conclusiones: La práctica regular de AF es una estrategia eficiente para disminuir los factores de riesgo asociados con Enfermedades No Transmisibles (ENT). Asimismo, se identifican métodos criterio, objetivos y subjetivos para su evaluación; las recomendaciones han evolucionado desde 1978 hasta 2018, y establecen que los adultos deberán practicar entre 150 a 300 minutos/semana de AF(AU)

ABSTRACT Introduction: Several studies have shown the potential benefits of the practice of Physical Activity (PA) over the years; however, some modulators known as determinants that modify its practice have also been identified. Objective: To gather and summarize available information on the importance of physical activity, its definition, determinants and evaluation methods in adults, as well as to establish the development of recommendations over time. Material and Methods: A search was made in different databases using search terms of physical activity, recommendations, and determinants in both English and Spanish during the period between 1996 and 2019. Articles related to adults were included and those about children and adolescents were excluded. Development: The recommendations have evolved from 1978 when the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) established very general specifications such as PA practices from 3 to 5 days per week at an intensity between 60 percent and 90 percent Heart Rate Reserve (HRR) until the most recent recommendations made by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018. Objective and subjective criteria are among the evaluation methods. Conclusions: Regular PA practice is an efficient strategy to reduce the risk factors associated with Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs). Likewise, subjective and objective criteria are identified for its evaluation. The recommendations have evolved from 1978 to 2018 establishing that adults should be involved in PA from 150 to 300 minutes per week(AU)