Recalling Perceptions, Emotions, Behaviours, and Changes in Weight Status Among University Students After the Pandemic Experience

Background/Objectives: Overweight and obesity continue to increase globally, a trend that has been exacerbated by the pandemic. This retrospective study examines the impact of suspending sports activities during the pandemic on the physical and psychological well-being of young Italian adults engaged in sports, paying particular attention to their nutritional status. In particular, the study focused on sex-related differences in perceptions, lifestyle, and body mass index (BMI) changes. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted among 515 students enrolled in the Sport Sciences program. All the students were aged 18 years or older. Participants completed an 18-item questionnaire assessing their experiences during the pandemic on a five-point Likert scale and retrospectively reported changes in physical activity and body weight. Results: Overall, 38.3% of males and 43% of females reported that restrictions negatively affected their lives, with notable differences emerging in habits, behaviors, and perceptions between sexes. Multivariate regression analysis showed that current BMI was influenced by anthropometric characteristics and variables related to lockdown experiences, in both sexes. Conclusions: The current BMI of examined students was significantly influenced by changes in weight status during the pandemic, resulting from an increased sedentary lifestyle and changes in eating habits, especially among males. These findings highlight that the pandemic differentially affected the lifestyles and perceptions of physically active young adults, with sex-specific consequences for mental and physical health.