Diet quality and food security in university students in latin america: a multicentric study Dieta y seguridad alimentaria en universitarios

Wallinger M.L.; Quintana Salinas M.R.; Correa Fonnegra J.B.; Lima Medeiros M.D.; Colombo M.E.; Espinoza Bernardo S.L.; Nery De Oliveira N.S.M.; Raiher A.P. · Revista Espanola de Nutricion Humana y Dietetica (2025) · DOI: 10.14306/renhyd.30.3.2764

Resumen

Introduction: The objective of the present study was to analyze the association between the level of food security (LFS) and diet quality (DQ) among Latin American university students, as well as to identify sociodemographic factors associated with LFS. Methods: Cross-sectional, analytical and multicenter study. Survey of 2572 undergraduate students from public universities in Colombia, Peru, Brazil and Argentina. Food security was evaluated using the FAO FIES methodology, DQ using IASE, and sociodemographic variables were collected. Prevalence ratios were estimated as a measure of association, at a significance level of α = 0.05. Results: In Brazil, more than 60% of students were food secure, while in the other countries this proportion was less than 40%. In all countries, a DQ that requires changes predominated (78%–94.8%). Food security was positively associated with a healthy diet (p<0.001). Living with family was associated with a higher probability of food security (p<0.001). Male students had a lower prevalence of moderate and severe food insecurity (p<0.001). Conclusions: Food insecurity is high among Latin American university students and is associated with DQ. Male gender and living with family are associated with a lower prevalence of food insecurity. Funding: Fundação Araucária de Apoio ao Desenvolvimento Científico e Tecnológico do Estado do Paraná (FA) © (2025), (Revista Espanola de Nutricion Humana y Dietetica). All rights reserved.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Mayor de San Marcos