Resumo

RIVERA BARRAGAN, María del R. Eating habits of students at Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco. Rev Cubana Salud Pública [online]. 2006, vol.32, n.3, pp. 0-0. ISSN 1561-3127.

Background: recent studies confirm the need of finding out the eating habits and the nutritional status of adolescents and students, whose results allow interventions, mainly educational, aimed at eliminating deficiencies. Objectives: identify the nutritional status and eating habits of first-year students of Health Sciences Division in the August-December school cycle in 2003. Methods: a stratified probabilistic sample of students from the first year of medical and other related careers at Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco was studied. The students were questioned about their eating habits and socioeconomic characteristics. Their body index masses were used to know the nutritional status. A focal group was organized to assess the concepts that students have in mind about healthy food and the factors that influence the adequate feeding of a person. Results: 63,1 % had normal body mass index and 36,5 % were obese. The most consumed foodstuffs were wheat-based preparations, specially corn (26 %), meats, fruits and vegetables (7,3 %), milk (6,8 %) and eggs (6,8 %). Conclusions: it was observed that suitable counselling for healthy eating habits is poor. Foodstuffs are chosen and consumed depending on cultural preferences, health condition, sex, age, social role and economic situation. The University was recommended to implement an intervention program that may contribute to overcoming the found deficiencies

Palavras-chave : Eating habits; nutritional status; adolescents, students.