Caracterización de hábitos alimentarios saludables en estudiantes de Licenciatura en Ciencias Alimentarias en Camagüey

The development of healthy eating habits in university students favors the reduction of non-communicable chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to characterize the healthy eating habits in students of the Bachelor's Degree in Food Sciences of the University of Camagüey Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz. The research has a quantitative approach within a descriptive scope. For data collection, a semi-structured survey was designed and applied to 33 students. The results obtained were processed using Statgraphics Centurion XVIII software. Multivariate analysis techniques were applied using the Canonical Correlation procedure, with the aim of determining the strength of association between the variables studied: sex, academic year, Body Mass Index (BMI), distribution of food events, practice of physical activity, frequency of food consumption and sources of dietary information. As a result, it was found that most of the respondents (67%) have a healthy weight. 21.2% practice sport or moderate physical activity continuously for 30 or more minutes a day, for 5 or more days a week, with low levels of programmed physical activity. 45.5% reported not consuming fish, the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption is once a day and 51.5% omit breakfast. The results lead to the need for a strategy to promote healthy eating habits for students of this faculty, with the support of the Internet, television and smartphones apps for the dissemination of information. Keywords: healthy eating habits , university students.El desarrollo de hábitos alimentarios saludables en los estudiantes universitarios favorece la disminución de las enfermedades crónicas no trasmisibles. El objetivo del trabajo fue caracterizar los hábitos alimentarios saludables en los estudiantes de Licenciatura en Ciencias Alimentarias de la Universidad de Camagüey Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz. La investigación tiene un enfoque cuantitativo de alcance descriptivo. Para la recolección de los datos se diseñó una encuesta semiestructurada que fue aplicada a 33 estudiantes. Los resultados obtenidos se procesaron mediante el software Statgraphics Centurion XVIII. Se aplicaron técnicas de análisis multivariado mediante el procedimiento de Correlación Canónica, con el objetivo de determinar la fuerza de asociación entre las variables estudiadas: Sexo, Año académico, Índice de Masa Corporal (IMC), Distribución de eventos alimentarios, práctica de actividad física, frecuencia de consumo de alimentos y fuentes de información dietética. Como resultado se obtuvo que la mayoría de los encuestados (67%) presentan un peso saludable. El 21.2% práctica deporte o actividad física moderada de forma continua por 30 o más minutos al día, durante 5 o más días a la semana, con bajos niveles de actividad física programada. El 45.5% declararon no consumir pescado, la frecuencia de consumo de frutas y verduras es de una vez al día y el 51.5% omiten el desayuno. Los resultados conducen a la necesidad de realizar una estrategia de promoción de hábitos alimentarios saludables para los estudiantes de dicha facultad, con apoyo en internet, la televisión y las aplicaciones de celular para la divulgación de la información. Palabras claves: hábitos alimentarios saludables, estudiantes universitarios. ABSTRACT The development of healthy eating habits in university students favors the reduction of non-communicable chronic diseases. The objective of this study was to characterize the healthy eating habits in students of the Bachelor's Degree in Food Sciences of the University of Camagüey Ignacio Agramonte Loynaz. The research has a quantitative approach within a descriptive scope. For data collection, a semi-structured survey was designed and applied to 33 students. The results obtained were processed using Statgraphics Centurion XVIII software. Multivariate analysis techniques were applied using the Canonical Correlation procedure, with the aim of determining the strength of association between the variables studied: sex, academic year, Body Mass Index (BMI), distribution of food events, practice of physical activity, frequency of food consumption and sources of dietary information. As a result, it was found that most of the respondents (67%) have a healthy weight. 21.2% practice sport or moderate physical activity continuously for 30 or more minutes a day, for 5 or more days a week, with low levels of programmed physical activity. 45.5% reported not consuming fish, the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption is once a day and 51.5% omit breakfast. The results lead to the need for a strategy to promote healthy eating habits for students of this faculty, with the support of the Internet, television and smartphones apps for the dissemination of information. Keywords: healthy eating habits , university students. Información del manuscrito:Fecha de recepción: 07 de marzo de 2022.Fecha de aceptación: 16 de mayo de 2022.Fecha de publicación: 18 de mayo de 2022