Eating habits and diet quality in university students ofteaching in relation to their adherence to the mediterranean diet

Abstract

Background: In our country, in recent years, the western diet model has been imposed to the detriment of the pattern of Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (AMD), this distance being more evident among young university students. The objectives of this work were to describe the dietary habits of university students (future teachers) and nutritional quality factors (ON) to compliance with the degrees of ADM. Establish possible improvements in their training.

Methods: Cross-sectional study conducted on a sample of 490 universitaries students aged 21 to 23 years. Dietary intake was estimated by a continuous 7 days dietary record, previously validated. To determine the AMD degrees was realized by the questionnaires Kidmed. For the statistical analysis, comparisons were performed using contrast of proportions (Z test) with Bonferroni correction and, one-way ANOVA and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: The students, regardless of the degree of ADM, presented a hipocaloric diet (average of 1,735.9 kcal/day); only a 5% showed a balanced caloric profile or a 10.4% a balanced lipid profile. They had a low daily iron intake (11.4 mg), fiber (15.6 g) and calcium (800.4 mg). However, students with ADM-high levels (were 25.7%) had significantly (p<0.05) better fat quality rates, as well as in intake values of iron, fiber, calcium and foods such as fruits and vegetables, whole grains, fish and skimmed dairy; also significantly low intake of industrial pastries, sugary drinks and snacks. Also, better caloric distribution at dinner and breakfast.

Conclusions: Students generally presented a desirable departure in ADM and ON. But, some desirable nutritional traits have been found to occur significantly among ADM-high students. They would set the guidelines for improving the training and preparation of the studied future educators.