[Anthropometric indices, physical activity and eating patterns in nutrition and dietetics students in Colombia].

Abstract

Objective: To analyze changes in body composition (Body Mass Index and Waist/Height Index), physical activity and eating patterns in Nutrition and Dietetics students from Colombian universities, between 2017 and 2018.

Materials and methods: Study longitudinal descriptive. With secondary data corresponding to the multicenter study of Nutrition and Dietetics students from universities in Colombia and Mexico. Sample of 228 students from Colombian universities, between 18 and 31 years old, evaluated at two moments with a difference of one year. It included sociodemographic, anthropometric, physical activity and food consumption variables. Descriptive statistics and inferential analysis were applied. Eating patterns were deter-mined by confirmatory factor analysis.

Results: The Body Mass Index and the Waist/Height Index presented statistically significant differences between evaluations 1 and 2 (p<0.05), with increased cardiovascular risk; without significant differences in physical activity between the two evaluations (p>0.05). Three dietary patterns were determined: a) cardioprotective, b) high in sugar and c) high in fat, with no changes between evaluations.

Conclusion: The present study showed critical aspects in the nutrition, body composition and physical activity of the students, which are maintained or worsen over time, despite the progress in their academic training in the area of food, dietetics and health.