Relación entre hábitos alimenticios y estado nutricional en estudiantes de Medicina de la Universidad Católica de Cuenca sede Azogues, Ecuador septiembre 2024 – febrero 2025

Abstract

Background: Diet is an important factor in the health and well-being of university students. The relationship between eating habits and nutritional status is essential, as students become responsible for their own eating habits upon entering university. Understanding the eating habits of medical students will help identify patterns that affect their well-being. Objective: To analyze the relationship between eating habits and nutritional status among medical students at the Catholic University of Cuenca, campus Azogues, Ecuador, from September 2024 to February 2025. Methods: A quantitative approach with a descriptive and correlational scope was used, employing a non-experimental, cross-sectional study design. The “Questionnaire to Assess Eating Behaviors and Habits in Higher Education Students” was applied to a sample of 327 students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was determined using a weighting scale to analyze the relationship between eating habits and nutritional status. Results: The majority of students were female (66%), aged between 18 and 21 years. Fifty-point-two percent (50.2%) had normal weight, 36.1% were overweight, 11.3% had obesity, and 2.4% were underweight. Students with poor eating habits showed a higher probability of being underweight (OR: 8.259; 95% CI: 1.635–41.709; p < 0.05), but no association was found with overweight or obesity. Conclusions: The hypothesis was partially confirmed, highlighting the need for nutritional interventions aimed at underweight students associated with poor eating habits. It is suggested to explore additional factors, such as physical activity and stress, to better understand the dynamics associated with overweight and obesity. Keywords: eating habits, nutritional status, body mass index, medical students