TITLE:
Eating Behaviour of University Professors during COVID-19 Pandemic
AUTHORS:
Karina Baldo, Gabriela Sandri, Camila Dalmolin, Guilherme Welter Wendt, Ana Paula Vieira, Lirane Elize Defante Ferreto, Danilo Rodrigues Pereira da Silva, Dalila Moter Benvegnú
KEYWORDS:
COVID-19, Mental Health, Professor, Eating Behavior
JOURNAL NAME:
Psychology,
Vol.17 No.4,
April
30,
2026
ABSTRACT: This study aimed to verify the possible impacts of the pandemic scenario on the eating behavior of university professors in Brazil. This is an epidemiological, descriptive-exploratory, cross-sectional study. A total of 525 questionnaire responses were received. The data collection instrument was built on the Google® Forms platform, on which questionnaires of sociodemographic, economic, health and work conditions, physical activity, eating behavior, and personality data were applied. Of these, 519 professors from 48 higher education institutions met the inclusion criteria; after exclusion of four ineligible participants (one duplicate response, one retired individual, and two self-employed individuals), the final analytical sample comprised 515 professors from 48 higher education institutions. Most participants are female participants, aged between 40 and 45 years and with family income between R$8001.00 and R$16,000.00. Regarding weight gain, a statistical association was found with females (OR: 1.67; 95% CI: 1.13 - 2.49), age between 40 and 54 years (OR: 1.88; 95% CI: 1.10 - 3.23), income up to R$8000 (OR: 2.18; 95% CI: 1.23 - 3.88), and binge eating (OR: 4.25; 95% CI: 1.80 - 10.07). Regarding increased food intake, a statistical association was found with female gender (OR: 1.52; 95% CI: 1.17 - 4.02), age between 25 to 39 years (OR: 2.17; 95% CI: 1.17 - 4.02) and between 40 to 54 years (OR: 2.38; 95% CI: 1.33 - 4.28), income up to R$8000 (OR: 2.33; 95% CI: 1.28 - 4.23), and binge eating (OR: 9.11; 95% CI: 3.13 - 26.53). Also note that participants who do not have children (OR: 0.64; 95% CI: 0.42 - 0.97) presented a protective factor for increasing food intake. Finally, the variables related to sociodemographic characteristics, occupational profile and general health during the COVID-19 pandemic were significantly associated with changes in professors food intake.