Background/Objectives: The prevalence of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among youth is rising, and the increase is closely linked to unhealthy lifestyle patterns. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of MetS among University of Rijeka students and investigate its associations with dietary habits, physical activity, gender, and faculty type (health and non-health faculties). Methods: A cross-sectional study conducted from September 2024 to March 2025 involved 217 randomly selected students from 16 faculties. The validated questionnaires Mediterranean Diet Adherence Screener (MEDAS) and International Physical Activity Questionnaire Short Form (IPAQ-SF), as well as a general data questionnaire, were used alongside anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference) and biochemical measurements (fasting plasma glucose, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol). MetS was diagnosed using a combination of International Diabetes Federation (IDF) criteria and Polish Experts Consensus (2022) criteria. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Spearman’s correlation, and multivariate logistic regression. Results: MetS was identified in 5.5% of students. Significant risk factors included obesity (body mass index, BMI, p < 0.05), low physical activity (IPAQ-SF, p < 0.05), elevated blood pressure (p < 0.01), high triglyceride levels (p < 0.05), and increased waist-to-height ratio (WHtR, p < 0.01). Female students reported lower physical activity than males (p < 0.05), while students from non-health faculties had lower adherence to the Mediterranean diet (MEDAS, p < 0.05) and reduced physical activity (p < 0.05). Higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet correlated with lower BMI and triglyceride levels (p < 0.05), whereas lower adherence was associated with reduced physical activity (Spearman’s r = −0.35, p < 0.01). Logistic regression with WHR as the dependent variable showed waist circumference (WC) as the strongest predictor (OR = 45.925, 95% CI: 5.238–402.666, p = 0.001), followed by triglycerides (OR = 3.395, 95% CI: 1.322–8.718, p = 0.011). BMI was inversely associated with WHR (OR = 0.068, 95% CI: 0.006–0.780, p = 0.031). HDL cholesterol, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and fasting glucose were not significant predictors (p > 0.05), indicating limited predictive power in this model. Conclusions: The 5.5% MetS prevalence underscores the need for targeted interventions promoting Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity, particularly among non-health faculty students and females. Longitudinal studies are warranted to assess intervention efficacy.

Background/Objectives: University students are particularly vulnerable to psychological distress and sleep disturbances, which may impair academic performance and overall well-being. Lifestyle changes, increased academic demands, and the COVID-19 pandemic may have further exacerbated these problems. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of insomnia and anxiety among students at the University of Rijeka and to examine their associations with COVID-19 infection, vaccination status, lifestyle habits, and sociodemographic characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was conducted between October 2024 and April 2025 among 594 students from 14 faculties of the University of Rijeka. Data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire including sociodemographic variables, the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 (GAD-7), lifestyle behaviors, and COVID-19-related factors. Statistical significance was set at p < 0.05. Results: Insomnia was reported by 50.7% of students (36.9% mild, 12.1% moderate, 1.7% severe), while 49.6% reported elevated anxiety levels. Female sex, smoking, low physical activity, poor subjective sleep quality, and frequent nighttime awakenings were significantly associated with higher ISI and GAD-7 scores (all p < 0.05). COVID-19 infection and vaccination status showed weaker associations with insomnia compared to psychosocial and lifestyle factors. Students living in shared rental accommodation reported higher insomnia severity. In multivariable regression analysis, anxiety severity, sleep fragmentation (frequent nocturnal awakenings), and poor perceived sleep quality emerged as the strongest independent predictors of insomnia severity. Conclusions: Insomnia and anxiety are highly prevalent among University of Rijeka students and are primarily associated with psychosocial and lifestyle factors rather than COVID-19-related variables. University-based interventions focusing on stress reduction, sleep hygiene, and early mental health support are warranted, particularly for high-risk groups.

Background/Objectives: Beyond respiratory problems, COVID-19 can cause a variety of symptoms, such as neurological disorders caused by biological and psychological factors. Brain fog (BF), a post-illness cognitive impairment that many patients report, can be evaluated with reaction time (RT) testing. Response latency is measured by RT, which can be either simple (sRT) or complex (cRT). This study focuses on how COVID-19 affects cognitive function, with particular attention on RT changes, BF prevalence, and implications for daily life. Methods: The study included 599 participants from Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia and Serbia. RT was measured using PsyToolkit and participants completed a COVID-19-associated BF questionnaire. Participants who experienced BF after their latest COVID-19 infection rated its severity using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Additional clinical data were obtained from medical records. Results: BF was reported by 40% of participants post-COVID-19. Men reported it less frequently but found it more disruptive. RT progressively declined post-infection, reaching peak impairment at 15 weeks, following recovery, with RT normalizing by six months. Conclusions: COVID-19 is linked to temporary RT impairment, peaking at 15 weeks post-infection and resolving by six months, independent of BF presence. This study emphasizes the need for a biopsychosocial approach to BF management. Easily available RT assessments should be incorporated into routine clinical practice.