 This study examined the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the physical and mental health of students at a Portuguese university. The results showed that students eating habits changed significantly, with fewer balanced meals being consumed and an increased intake of snacks and fast food. Additionally, nearly two-thirds of the students experience body mass index, BMI, changes, with younger and female students experiencing greater BMI fluctuations. Furthermore, 67% of the students reported an increase in their stress, depression, and generalized anxiety symptoms. These findings suggest that students' lifestyles trended negatively during the pandemic and highlight the importance of providing regular psychological, health monitoring, and emotional support to this population. This article was authored by Barbara Cesar Machado, Elizabeth Pinto, Margarita Silva, and others.