Investigação sobre os hábitos alimentares de estudantes de uma universidade pública de Fortaleza-CE

Abstract

According to the World Health Organization ( WHO ) , chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs ) are responsible for 60 % of deaths worldwide . Recent surveys of healthy eating presented strong evidence for the role of dietary intake of fruits and vegetables and the combination of rice and beans in the prevention and control of diseases like diabetes , cancer and cardiovascular diseases . The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the eating habits of college students from a public university of Fortaleza . This is a cross-sectional study conducted from May to October 2013, involving 203 undergraduates . We applied a questionnaire containing demographic and related to food consumption data , measured by food frequency intake of food. Data were stored in a database built in Excel and processed in STATA statistical software v.08 . The results were analyzed statistically and analyzed with support in the literature . Approved by the Federal University of Ceará Research Ethics Committee , the study received No 208/10 protocol. Of the 203 participants , 66.5 % were female ; the average age was 22.9 years, and 65.6 % located in the age group 20-24 years; 95 % were single ; 44.3 % mulatto ; 52.2 % studied between the 5th and 8th semester of graduation ; 28 % had a monthly income between 2-4 minimum wages ; 51 % were Class C ; 71.1 % and 74.4 % only students living with parents or relatives . With regard to dietary habits , 56 % , 97 % , 67.3 % and 69.9 % ingests daily foods such as milk , rice, beans and bread , respectively, and 74.4 % , 57.7 % , 57.5 % reported eat pizza every week , pastel and soda . It was found that 70.3 % of students who consumed fruits daily also consumed vegetables daily , while 52.2 % of the students who did not eat fruit daily also did not eat vegetables daily , with statistical significant differences (p=0.001 ) . As for the daily consumption of 51.2 % of the students reported eating 6-8 cups daily. Individuals aged between 20 and 24 years were 4.5 times more likely to consume fruits and vegetables daily , and as to the daily consumption of rice and beans university class C had 1.7 times more likely to use than those of class A. in view of the feeding behavior ifferences were found by gender for the number of meals per day ( p = 0.031 ) , as 9.6% of women and 1.5 % of men carry only up to 3 meals a day . Given the above, highlights the need for intervention through actions based on health promotion , using the university as a means conducive to the promotion of healthy eating habits and guide preventing the rise of NCDs and improving the quality of life of the university.