Determinación de los factores de malnutrición asociados a las prácticas alimentarias y consumo de alimentos procesados y ultraprocesados en población de estudiantes universitarios

Abstract

The consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods has become both a global trend and a significant issue over the years, negatively affecting human health. This phenomenon has gained considerable importance in Latin America. For this reason, the present study focused on examining dietary habits and the consumption of processed and ultra-processed foods among university students. A survey was conducted with two hundred and ninety-two students from the Faculty of Food Science and Biotechnology, identifying various factors associated with unhealthy diets and poor eating habits, including the social environment, socioeconomic status, and cultural context. The findings revealed that the majority of students frequently consume unhealthy foods, with processed foods being the most prevalent. This behavior may lead to negative health consequences over time, such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, or excess body weight. Among the surveyed population, at least twenty-eight point four percent of the students were classified as overweight or having type one obesity. Although this proportion is not yet alarming, it could progressively increase if dietary habits do not improve. The implications of these findigs are analyzed, and strategies based on the results are proposed to encourage healthier eating habits within the university student population.