Nutritional status, anthropometrical measurements, socio-economic status, and physical activity in Brazilian university students

Introduction: The physical activity and adequate food plays a key role in improving health and the control of diseases. Objective: This paper aims at determining the nutritional state through antropometric measures, socioeconomic level, the most common illnesses and type of physical activity, beyond food consumption and the place where meals are taken, of under-graduate students of the Nutrition course in UFPE. Methods: The sample is constituted of 68 female students, of different periods and at ages between 18 and 27 years old. The process of selection of the sample was for convenience. The students voluntarily participated and answered three questionnaires, respectively, on their socioeconomic level (income of the family) and possible illnesses they had, measures of the cutaneous folds and type of practiced physical activity; register of consumed foods and local where the meals were carried. Statistical analysis was performed by absolute frequency, percentage, average and standard deviation. The margin of error used in the testing employees was 5%. Results: In relation to the incomes, they had predominated above three minimum wages (86%), the parents have a predominant role in the expenditure of their study (46%), followed by the father (24%), mother (9%), husband (4%), other responsible ones (10%); 7% did not give information. The most common illnesses were: allergic rinite, tonsilitis, sleeplessness and intestinal constipation. The weight, the height, the index of body mass and the relation waist hip of the students were within normal standards. The abdominal circumference varied only in 2.57 cm between the studied age range. In relation to the practice of physical activities, 67 % were sedentary, 20 % practiced light activity and 13 % moderate. In relation to where the meals are had, breakfast, in its majority (76 %), was carried at home, followed by supper (56%), while lunch (41 %) and snack 1 (34%), at University. Among the pupils who did not inform the place where they had their meals there was a high percentage for the big meals and a small one for the minor ones. The main kinds of consumed meals were breakfast, lunch and supper (98%). For the small meals, the values were: snack 1 (54%), snack 2 (61%), snack 3 (45%). The analysis of food consumption for three days disclosed ingestion of energy with deficit of 21% in relation to the recommended one (p < 0.001); the macro-nutrients showed percentages within the standards; the intake of fiber (11.8 g/day) was less than recommended (p < 0.001). Meat, eggs and cereals were ingested daily (for about 80%); vegetables (40%), legumes, fruits and candies (25% 30%), around four or six days a week. Roots and tubercles, salty, embedded and non alcoholic drinks were consumed from one to three days weekly (70%). Animal guts were not consumed by 50% of the studied population. Conclusions: Having analyzed all this, the studied students need to modify their food habits, acquiring knowledge on the importance of a balanced diet, as well as the practice of physical activity systematically, to prevent illnesses and attain a better quality of life.