Giner Murillo, MaríaAtienza Carbonell, BeatrizCervera Martínez, JoseBobes-Bascaran, T.Crespo Facorro, BenedictoBoni, Raquel B. deEsteban, CristinaGarcía-Portilla González, María Paz, 1962-Gomes da Costa, SusanaGonzález-Pinto, AnaJaén Moreno, María JoséKapczinski, FlávioPonce Mora, AlbertoSarramea, FernandoTabarés-Seisdedos, RafaelVieta i Pascual, Eduard, 1963-Zorrilla, IñakiBalanzá-Martínez, Vicent2022-03-152022-03-152021-07-311661-7827https://hdl.handle.net/2445/184156Few studies have used a multidimensional approach to describe lifestyle changes among undergraduate students during the COVID-19 pandemic or have included controls. This study aimed to evaluate lifestyle behaviors and mental health of undergraduate students and compare them with an age and sex-matched control group. A cross-sectional web survey using snowball sampling was conducted several months after the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic in Spain. A sample of 221 students was recruited. The main outcome was the total SMILE-C score. Students showed a better SMILE-C score than controls (79.8 + 8.1 vs. 77.2 + 8.3; p < 0.001), although these differences disappeared after controlling for covariates. While groups did not differ in the screenings of depression and alcohol abuse, students reported lower rates of anxiety (28.5% vs. 37.1%; p = 0.042). A lower number of cohabitants, poorer self-perceived health and positive screening for depression and anxiety, or for depression only were independently associated (p < 0.05) with unhealthier lifestyles in both groups. History of mental illness and financial difficulties were predictors of unhealthier lifestyles for students, whereas totally/moderate changes in substance abuse and stress management (p < 0.05) were predictors for the members of the control group. Several months after the pandemic, undergraduate students and other young adults had similar lifestyles.17 p.application/pdfengcc-by (c) Giner Murillo, María et al., 2021https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/Estudiants universitarisCOVID-19EspanyaCollege studentsCOVID-19Spaininfo:eu-repo/semantics/article7165092022-03-15info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess