NUTRITIONAL STATUS OF HEALTH SCIENCES STUDENTS OF A FEDERAL HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTION

Abstract

Objective: To determine the nutritional status of university students in the health field of a Federal Institution of Higher Education. Methodology:This is a cross-sectional epidemiological study with university students enrolled in health courses at a Federal Institution of Higher Education in the south of Minas Gerais. Demographic and socioeconomic data, family history of chronic non-communicable diseases, health status, nutritional self-assessment were collected. Anthropometric measurements were taken and information was collected on eating habits and physical activity. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata software. Results: Of the 180 university students, 82.2% were female, with an average age of 21 years. Sedentary lifestyle was observed in 51.1% of the university students. Most students did not have any self-reported disease (70.5%). Regarding nutritional status, 29.5% of the participants were overweight, reaching 45.5% of the men and 25.9% of the women. There was a statistically significant and positive correlation between the body mass index and the waist circumference, and the body mass index and the body fat percentage. The feeding was considered inadequate for most students. Conclusion: Overweight was found in almost a third of the university students and inadequate diet. Therefore, there was a need to adopt educational strategies that emphasize the importance of healthy eating for the prevention of health problems, mainly because these university students are future health professionals.