Characterization of healthy eating habits in students of Food Sciences in Camagüey

Abstract

The development of healthy eating habits in university students favors the reduction of non-communicable chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to characterize the healthy eating habits in students of the Bachelor's Degree in Food Sciences of the University of Camagüey Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz. The research has a quantitative approach within a descriptive scope. For data collection, a semi-structured survey was designed and applied to 33 students. The results obtained were processed using Statgraphics Centurion XVIII software. Multivariate analysis techniques were applied using the Canonical Correlation procedure, with the aim of determining the strength of association between the variables studied: sex, academic year, Body Mass Index (BMI), distribution of food events, practice of physical activity, frequency of food consumption and sources of dietary information. As a result, it was found that most of the respondents (67%) have a healthy weight. 21.2% practice sport or moderate physical activity continuously for 30 or more minutes a day, for 5 or more days a week, with low levels of programmed physical activity. 45.5% reported not consuming fish, the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption is once a day and 51.5% omit breakfast. The results lead to the need for a strategy to promote healthy eating habits for students of this faculty, with the support of the Internet, television and smartphones apps for the dissemination of information.

Keywords: healthy eating habits , university students.