Introduction:

Entering the university implies multiple changes that affect the nutritional status and can condition the appearance of chronic non-communicable diseases in the future.

Objective:

To compare the nutritional status of Nutrition and Dietetics students from Mexico and Colombia through anthropometric measurements and food consumption.

Material and Methods:

Through the application of a survey, the food consumption and lifestyle of the students were investigated. The anthropometric data collection was carried out using the techniques adopted by The International Society for the Advancement of Kinanthropometry (ISAK). With the data obtained, a descriptive, exploratory, multidimensional and cross-sectional study was carried out. The sample size was 583 students randomly chosen from university centers in Colombia and Mexico. The statistical techniques used included: comparison test for proportions, MANOVA and frequency distributions.

Results:

There was a higher genetic load for diabetes mellitus, arterial hypertension, cancer and obesity in Mexican students who reported more overweight and gastrointestinal diseases. The frequent consumption of whole cheese, eggs, saturated and polyunsaturated fats, sugars and sweets and fried products was higher in Colombian women while the consumption of low-fat cheese, legumes and vegetable mixtures, monounsaturated fats, sauces, fruits, vegetables, nuts and seeds, canned goods and alcoholic beverages was higher in Mexican women, presenting a significant difference (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

Dietary changes are reported from the beginning of the studies, which is a protective factor for the development of non-communicable chronic diseases. There must be consistency among knowledge, eating practices and lifestyle to maintain health and achieve greater credibility of the knowledge imparted.

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