Consumo de alimentos procesados en universitarios en Latinoamérica

Abstract

The consumption of processed foods among university students is considered vulnerable due to various factors, such as changes in eating habits, the influence of academic and social life on food choices, and exposure to unhealthy food environments. Objective: To analyze the consumption of processed foods by university students in Latin America, identifying influential factors and their impact on health. Methodology: A systematic review was conducted, with a thorough search for relevant studies on the consumption of processed foods by university students in Latin America, employing databases such as PubMed, Science Direct, Researchgate, Taylor & Francis Online, SciELO, Dialnet, Portal Regional da Biblioteca virtual em saúde, and Google Scholar. Results: A total of 166 studies were found: 57 in PubMed, 10 in Science Direct, 18 in Researchgate, 10 in Taylor & Francis Online, 26 in SCIELO, 10 in Dialnet, 5 in Portal Regional da Biblioteca virtual em saúde, and 30 in Google Scholar. After reviewing the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 12 were excluded for not being freely accessible and 40 were not related to the topic. Conclusions: Ultra-processed foods are ingested largely, and consumption factors vary by region. The most common effects include cardiovascular diseases and weight gain.