Hábitos alimenticios y su influencia en la composición corporal de los estudiantes de la Facultad de Ciencias de la Salud de la Universidad Católica de Santiago de Guayaquil durante el periodo 2024-2025.

Abstract

Currently, there is an increase in the development of cardiovascular diseases in university students associated with poor adherence to their usual diet. The present research aimed to determine the influence of eating habits on the body composition of students from the Faculty of Health Sciences of the Catholic University of Santiago de Guayaquil. A quantitative approach was used, with a descriptive scope, cross-sectional observational design, selecting a sample of 401 students. For the analysis of eating habits, the Survey of behaviors and eating habits in higher education - ECHAES was used, and body composition was determined with bioimpedance. The students had a median age of 21 years and weight of 68.3 kg, average height of 1.65 mts and BMI of 25.1 kg / m2, 45.6% had a normal BMI and 34.9% were overweight, in terms of body composition, 58.1% had an increased percentage of body fat, being higher in women (median of 36.20), 33.2% had normal muscle mass, predominating in men (median of 31.5). Regarding cardiovascular risk, 53.4% had moderate risk and 45.9% had high risk, although 70.6% maintained normal levels of visceral fat, indicating that BMI is not sufficient to assess body composition; Regarding eating habits and behaviors, 48.1% showed sufficient habits, and 28.8% deficient ones, concluding that eating habits influence body composition, being more deficient in women due to greater accumulation of fat versus muscle mass.