Calidad de la alimentación y estado nutricional en una muestra de estudiantes universitarios usuarios de los bares de la ESPOCH. Riobamba. 2020

Abstract

The objective of this research was to analyze the quality of food and nutritional status in a sample of university students who use ESPOCH cafeterias and food stands. The methodology applied for the study was cross-sectional and descriptive. The sample of university students was 482, from which 234 were men and 248 were women aged between 18 and 31. To collect the information, the survey Measurement of eating patterns and characteristics of the diet of ESPOCH students "Bromatological and Microbiological Characteristics of the preparations sold in ESPOCH cafeterias and food stands" was used. It contained the following categories: Anthropometric information, frequency of consumption, food preferences and meal times. They included questions such as place of daily lunch, and whether they got ill or not. Statistical analysis was performed with the SPSS program where it was found that more than 50% of the population are within normal parameters; however, 23.4% of men and 15.3% of women are overweight. Regarding the frequency of consumption of the different meal times according to nutritional status, 48.2% ate breakfast daily, 59.8% had lunch and 56.3% had dinner; additionally, they ate mid-morning and afternoon snacks. Concerning habits and lifestyles, it is stated that people aged from 18 to 24 years old, 42.7% of them performed physical activity; 59.69% do not consume alcohol daily and 61.1% are in good health. It is concluded that, if several meals a day are eaten, healthier foods such as vegetables, fruits, dairy products and meats are consumed at least one portion a day. If they consume them at the correct times and portions, it can be favorable for health. It is recommended to carry out a longitudinal study of the subject since long-term changes in nutritional status can be found.