Relación entre los patrones alimentarios, la composición corporal y el estado de salud general de los estudiantes universitarios.

Abstract

Background: Poor nutrition is a public health problem. One of the main causes of chronic non modificable diseases is the combination of an unhealthy diet and physical inactivity. University life presents major challenges for students. New responsabilities, academic stress, and irregular schedules can be significant obstacles. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between dietary patterns, body composition and general health status of university students. Methodology: This research work had an observational, cohort, retrospective, cross-sectional and descriptive design. It was carried out in university students belonging to the Faculty of Medical Sciences of the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil, enrolled in the careers of the faculty, during the two academic periods of 2024. Results: In relation to preexisting comorbidities, 1.4% of the respondents reported having arterial hypertension, and 92.9% reported not having any type of pathological history, with no statistically significant differences between sexes (p = 0.059). 49.2% engaged at least 150 minutes of weekly physical activity. Most students (68.5%) skipped breakfast, with a higher prevalence among women (39.1%) (p < 0.001). The most consumed foods were potatoes (92.4%) and rice (91.6%). Eggs (86.5%) and chicken (84.5%) were also frequently consumed. Regarding body composition, women had an average body weight of 54.2 kg, fat mass of 19.3 kg, visceral fat of 7.4, and a BMR of 1457.9. Men had and average body weight of 71.9 kg, fat mass of 24.2 kg, visceral fat of 13.3, and a BMR of 1879.9. Conclusion: There is a relationship between dietary patterns and body composition, with a higher fat mass and visceral fat in men, while women have a higher BMI.