Eating Habits in Overweight and Obese College Students

Villanueva-Benites M.E.; Vílchez-Ramírez R.; Flores-Torres E.; Román-Vílchez O.D.; Magallanes-Castilla J.J.; Capa-Luque W. · Salud Uninorte (2026) · DOI: 10.14482/sun.42.02.791.349

Resumen

Objectives: To analyze eating habits and body mass index in overweight and obese university students. Materials and methods: This was a correlational observational study. The sample consisted of 74 overweight and obese university health science students. Diagnostic tools included a TANITA SC-240 multifrequency bioimpedance meter, a Seca 222 wall measuring rod, a sociodemographic factors questionnaire, and an eating habits questionnaire (validity 0.90, Cronbach’s alpha 0.682 reliability). SPSS version 26 was used for statistical analysis. Results: 56.8% of the students were overweight, 28.4% were Obese I, and 14.9% were Obese II, predominantly among males. A total of 52.7% reported consuming breakfast outside the home. Regarding nutritional intake, most of the students reported inadequate frequency of food consumption, particularly of fish (67.6%), legumes (60.8%), vegetables (44.6%), and eggs (32.4%). It was found that low intake of fish and vegetables, alongside excessive sweets consumption, were significantly associated with higher body mass index (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The findings corroborate the prevalence of body composition imbalances in the undergraduate population, showing a high rate of overweight in women and obesity in men.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana; Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal