NUTRITIONAL STATUS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY OF UNDERGRADUATE FRESHMEN OF HEALTH SCIENCES

• DOI: https://doi.org/10.22533/at.ed.1594922414108

• Palavras-chave: university students; nutritional status, lifestyle, BMI.

• Keywords: university students; nutritional status, lifestyle, BMI.

• Abstract: The entry into university life can lead to the adoption of inadequate eating patterns, increasing the risk of overweight. The aim of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of undergraduate freshmen of Health Sciences at a private University in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. This cross-sectional research investigated freshmen characteristics using a standardized questionnaire on demographic and lifestyle characteristics. Anthropometric data (weight, height, waist circumference) were also collected and Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Forty-two freshmen participated, with an average age of 21 years, being 88.1% female. Most of the students reported practicing physical activity regularly (76.2%) and 26.2% were sedentary. Thirty-one percent of the freshmen never consumed alcoholic beverages and 7.1% were current smokers. One fifth of the students were overweight, and 4.8% were obese. The average abdominal circumference of the students was 77 cm, indicating no risk of chronic diseases. Men, smokers and sedentary students were those who had most overweight. We recommend that studies that monitor possible effects of academic life on the nutritional status and health of freshmen be carried out. Additionally, implementing activities to promote healthy dietary habits and sports can reduce future risks of chronic diseases in these young students.