Proper eating habits in medical science students at the Panamerican University

Abstract

Introduction: nutrition is fundamental in the life of students, since it influences health, wellbeing and academic performance. Eating habits acquired during the student stage have an impact on the health and future development of individuals. Therefore, it is of vital importance to understand and evaluate the knowledge that students of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences of the Panamerican University have about eating habits. Objective: to characterize the level of knowledge about proper eating habits in nutrition, medicine and dentistry students of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences. Methods: a descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out on the level of knowledge of nutrition, medicine and dentistry students of the Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, as of February 2023. Results: the students of Medicine, Nutrition and Dentistry of the Panamerican University, Faculty of Medical Sciences, showed an average level of knowledge about eating habits in all the total categories; only 7.8% have a high level of knowledge, 0.3% assured that they have a high level of knowledge about the daily intakes recommended by experts; 62.5% of the students correctly identified the components of the dietary habits of their students, and 0.3% of the students had a high level of knowledge about the daily intakes recommended by experts;  62.5% of the students correctly identified the necessary components for a healthy breakfast, taking into account that 60.8% of the students have an average knowledge of eating habits. Conclusions: in general, it was observed that the children have a limited level of knowledge about healthy eating habits. Many lack basic information about nutrition, food groups, nutritional requirements and how to eat a balanced diet.