Nutritional status and social-demographical and health factors among newly enrolled students at UAZ

Abstract

Introduction: Obesity and overweight are risk factors to developing short and long-term health-related complications; and newly enrolled university students are considered a vulnerable group in terms of their nutritional progression status.

Objective: To describe the nutritional status, and social-demographical and health factors among newly enrolled students at UAZ.

Methodology: This is an observational, transversal, and descriptive study on a sample of 3,972 newly enrolled university students who verbally consented on their participation. Nursing, medicine, and nutrition intern students were trained to carry out diverse assessments related to the nutritional status, social-demographical and health factors, and anthropometric data on the sample.

Results: Newly enrolled male students showed a higher prevalence of overweight (24.1%) and obesity (9.2%) in comparison to their female counterparts (p<.001). Male students showed having more physical activity (73.6% vs 51.1%) but also consuming more alcohol (58.3% vs 34.3%) and tobacco (20.8% vs 9.5%) (p<.000). Positive associations were found between the overweight numbers and, being male (RM=1.22, CI 95% 1.02-1.45), being 19 years old (RM = 1.36, CI 95% 1.02-1.45), being in the areas of health sciences (RM=1.88, CI 95% 1.05-3.35), being in the areas of social sciences (RM=1.93, CI 95% 1.06-3.48), being in the areas of humanities and education (RM=1.90, CI 95% 1.01-3.53), and being in the areas of engineering and technology (RM=1.83, CI 95% 1.01-3.30).

Discussion and conclusion: It is necessary to address to obesity and overweight problems among university students through interventions aimed at modifying risky behaviors during their university stay, improving the quality of nutrition, and promoting healthy life-styles.