Burnout syndrome, sleep pattern, and eating behavior in university students: differences according to study modality (daytime and nighttime)

Authors

  • Adriana Yaguachi-Alarcón Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil
  • Anthonny Luis Yaguachi-Alarcón Consultoria Privada
  • Iván Alejandro Vargas-Rodríguez Universidad Ecotec
  • Gabriel Antonio Ordóñez-Aguilar Universidad Ecotec
  • Cristian Josafet Arias-Ortiz Universidad Ecotec
  • José Danny Peralta-Machado Universidad de Guayaquil
  • Carlos Luis Poveda-Loor Universidad Catolica de Santiago de Guayaquil
  • Walter Adalberto González-García Consultoria Privada

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v80.119383

Keywords:

Burnout syndrome, sleep pattern, eating behavior, university students

Abstract

Introduction: Burnout syndrome, along with sleep disturbances and inadequate eating habits, represent significant problems in the health of university students. These conditions can negatively affect their physical and mental well-being, as well as their academic performance.

Objective: To determine the presence of burnout syndrome, sleep patterns, and eating behavior among university students according to the study modality (daytime and nighttime).

Methodology: A cross-sectional, descriptive, and observational study was conducted with 335 students from a public university in Guayaquil. The Maslach Burnout Inventory, the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index, and the Healthy Eating Index were applied. A descriptive analysis was performed using frequencies and percentages, and the chi-square test was used with a significance level of p<0.05.

Results: It was found that 14.6% of the students presented burnout syndrome, with a high proportion of emotional exhaustion (45.1%) and low personal accomplishment (54.9%). A total of 68.7% showed poor sleep quality, and 55.8% required changes in their diet, with low dietary diversity predominating (82.7%). No statistically significant differences were found between daytime and nighttime modalities in any of the variables analyzed (p>0.05).

Discussion: The findings of this study differ from those reported in previous research conducted among university students.

Conclusions: Burnout syndrome, sleep patterns, and eating behavior do not differ according to the study modality; however, there is a high presence of risk factors affecting students’ overall health, highlighting the need to implement intervention strategies in the university setting.

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Published

12-05-2026

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Original Research Article

How to Cite

Yaguachi-Alarcón, A., Yaguachi-Alarcón, A. L., Vargas-Rodríguez, I. A., Ordóñez-Aguilar, G. A., Arias-Ortiz, C. J., Peralta-Machado, J. D., Poveda-Loor, C. L., & González-García, W. A. (2026). Burnout syndrome, sleep pattern, and eating behavior in university students: differences according to study modality (daytime and nighttime). Retos, 80, 706-715. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v80.119383