Eating habits of university students in the city of Manta

Abstract

Healthy diets throughout life help to prevent malnutrition, as well as non-communicable diseases and disorders. The present study analyzes the eating habits of university students at the Universidad Laica Eloy Alfaro de Manabí in the city of Manta. The eating habits study was conducted on a sample of 384 students who were given an electronic survey (Forms) consisting of 17 questions. The results showed that 72% of the students live in the urban area of Manta, and 53.6% were female. Regarding income, 73.4% of respondents belong to families with a monthly income of less than USD 475, followed by 19.5% with incomes between USD 475 and USD 800. Eating habits for breakfast, lunch, and dinner showed that the most common frequency of consumption of all three meals is between 3 and 5 days a week. Eggs are the main source of protein for breakfast. “Menestras” (mixture of legumes and cereals) are frequently consumed at both lunch and dinner. Legumes, fruits and vegetables are the least common food groups for lunch and dinner. Fifty-five percent of respondents consume sausages for lunch and dinner at least three times a week. Income was not found to influence students' eating habits, although available time was a predominant factor for breakfast. Companionship is related to the frequency of lunch and dinner consumption. Regarding the composition of the main course, there is a high carbohydrate intake, low fruit and vegetable intake, and an inadequate balance of cereals and legumes. Finally, the composition of the main course is inversely related to consumption of junk food. It is necessary to educate students about the inclusion of fruits and vegetables more frequently throughout the day. University authorities should establish student time slots with adequate time for lunch breaks.

Keywords: Eating habits, students, Ecuador, frequency of consumption, junk food.