Nutritional health in university students: a comprehensive analysis based on BMI and the Healthy Eating Index
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.63535/x6mbss91Keywords:
Nutritional status; Diet; University students; BMIAbstract
During college, young people face dietary challenges that affect their health, such as poor habits, social pressure, and limited resources. Despite their training, even nutrition students are at risk for obesity and chronic diseases. This study seeks to evaluate their nutritional status and its relationship with food. The diet quality and nutritional status of incoming students studying for a bachelor’s degree in nutrition at two universities in southeastern Mexico were assessed using non-probability convenience sampling. The Healthy Eating Index (HAI) was applied, and BMI was measured according to international standards. The design was quantitative, non-experimental, cross-sectional, and correlational. Data collection was conducted through a digital survey administered during tutorials. Statistical analysis included Pearson correlation, ANOVA, F test, and t test, with a significance level of α = 0.05, using the software Conexiónismo. The study evaluated 165 university students, of whom more than 30% presented malnutrition due to excess and 95% had inadequate eating habits. Although the group analysis showed significant differences between BMI and IAS, no strong linear correlation was found between the two variables (r = -0.0756; R² = 0.0057). This suggests that diet quality does not directly predict nutritional status. The need to promote nutrition education in universities and integrate factors such as physical activity, stress, and social environment into future research is highlighted to better understand student well-being.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ángel Esteban Torres-Zapata, Addy Leticia Zarza-García, Teresa del Jesús Brito-Cruz , Juan Eduardo Moguel-Ceballos, Olga Chalim Solis-Corduwer (Autor/a)
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