Food consumption and nutritional profile of students at a Federal University in the Middle Solimões - Amazonas
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.62827/nb.v24i3.3075Keywords:
Processed Foods, Nutritional Status, Nutritional Transition.Abstract
Introduction: Assessing the food consumption of the Amazonian population is a major challenge, given the cultural diversity and the limited access to certain foods. Objective: To evaluate the food consumption and nutritional profile of patients treated at the outpatient clinic of a federal university located in the Middle Solimões region, Amazonas. Methods: This is a cross-sectional, analytical study, approved under CAEE No. 08021319.0.0000.5020. Students and staff treated at the outpatient clinic of the Teaching Clinic were evaluated. Sociodemographic data were collected through a semi-structured questionnaire. Food consumption through the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ) and anthropometric assessment (weight, height, Body Mass Index (BMI), skin folds and circumferences). The data obtained were organized and analyzed using a Microsoft Excel® spreadsheet, version 10. Results: 21 patients were evaluated, of which 28.57% (6) were male and 71.43% (15) were female. The salary income of 52.38% (11) of those assessed was one to two minimum wages per month. Regarding the nutritional diagnosis, 52.38% (11) of those evaluated were eutrophic according to BMI; 47.62% (10) had a high fat percentage and 61.90% (13) had an adequate percentage of arm muscle circumference. Men were more physically active, did not smoke and were more hydrated when compared to women. Food consumption showed daily consumption of French bread and instant noodles. Conclusion: The analysis of food consumption reveals a dual scenario: while traditional habits are preserved, there is a gradual introduction of processed foods into the daily lives of young university students, which characterizes a possible dietary transition.
References
Batista MC, Souza JA, Lima V. Food access and consumption in riverside communities of the Brazilian Amazon. Rev Nutr Saude Publica. 2018;35(2):147-55.
Monteiro CA, Moubarac JC, Levy RB, Canella DS, Louzada MLC, Cannon G. Household availability of ultra-processed foods and obesity in nineteen European countries. Public Health Nutr. 2018;21(1):18-26. doi:10.1017/S1368980017001379.
Ibrahim MM. The pathophysiology of visceral adipose tissue in cardiometabolic diseases. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis. 2024;1870(4):166747. doi:10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.166747.
Melo SPSC, Cesse EÂP, Lira PIC, Ferreira LCCN, Rissin A, Batista Filho M. Overweight, obesity and associated factors among adults in a poor urban area of Northeastern Brazil. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2020;23:e200036. Doi:10.1590/1980-549720200036.
Caivano S, Lopes RF, Sawaya AL, Domene SMA, Martins PA. Conflicts of interest in food industry strategies to increase the consumption of ultra-processed foods and the effects on the health of the Brazilian population. Demetra. 2017;12(2):26928. doi:10.12957/demetra.2017.26928.
Louzada MLC. Ultra-processed foods and nutritional profile of the diet in Brazil. Rev Saude Publica. 2015;49:38. doi:10.1590/S0034-89102015049005745.
Furlan-Viebig R, Pastor-Valero M. Development of a food frequency questionnaire for the study of diet and noncommunicable diseases. Rev Saude Publica. 2004;38(4):581-4. doi:10.1590/S0034-89102004000400016.
Cuppari L, organizer. Guide to clinical nutrition in adults. 3rd ed. Barueri: Manole; 2014.
Amorim CM, Souza C, Silva GF. Socioeconomic and cultural profile of undergraduate students at UEMASUL. Imperatriz: UEMASUL; 2020.
Oliveira ES. Physical activity level and related factors in university students in the health field: a longitudinal study. J Phys Educ. 2021;32:e3217. doi:10.4025/jphyseduc.v32i1.3217.
Malta IS, Coelho SB. Relative fat mass (RFM) as a new tool for estimating body fat: a systematic review. Rev Assoc Bras Nutr. 2023;14(1):1-12.
Azevedo E, Diniz AS, Monteiro JS, Cabral PC. Dietary risk pattern for chronic noncommunicable diseases and its association with body fat: a systematic review. Cien Saude Colet. 2014;19(5):1447-58. doi:10.1590/1413-81232014195.00532013.
Porto TNRS, Cardoso CLR, Baldoino LS, Martins VS, Alcântara SML, Carvalho DP. Prevalence of overweight and risk factors for obesity in adults. Rev Eletron Acervo Saude. 2019;22:e308. doi:10.25248/reas.e308.2019.
World Health Organization. Physical activity. Geneva: WHO; 2025.
Fontes A, Vianna R. Prevalence and factors related to low-level physical activity among university students at a public university in northeastern Brazil. Rev Bras Epidemiol. 2009;12(1):20-9. doi:10.1590/S1415-790X2009000100003.
Morais ÉAH, Oliveira BE, Roesberg JMA, Souza PSN, Souza RNB, Costa SF, et al. Individual and contextual factors associated with smoking among young Brazilian adults. Cien Saude Colet. 2022;27(6):349-62. doi:10.1590/1413-81232022276.20622021.
Jesus VM. Prevalence of smoking and alcoholism among university students in health courses. Proceedings of the Jornada Educ Fis Estado Goias. 2019;1(2):310-3.
Ferreira CAL, Santos JAR, Kent-Smith L, Salcedo ISM. Contribution of beverages to hydration before, during and after physical activity in university students. Motricidade. 2008;4(1):68-78. doi:10.6063/motricidade.4(1).521.
Brito CJ, Marins JC. Characterization of hydration practices among judo athletes in the state of Minas Gerais. Rev Bras Cienc Mov. 2005;13(3):59-74.
Sepeda TPA, Mendes RC, Loureiro LM. Evaluation of water loss and hydration habits of university competitive futsal athletes. Rev Bras Med Esporte. 2016;22(5):350-4. doi:10.1590/1517-869220162205151956.
Weege CH, Berardinelli VC, Gesuino DB, Madeira K, Silva MA, Oliveira Marques S, et al. Adequate water intake and improvement of clinical signs and symptoms in healthy academics. Rev Bras Obes Nutr Weight Loss. 2022;16(98):955-65.
Jéquier E, Constant F. Water as an essential nutrient: the physiological basis of hydration. Eur J Clin Nutr. 2010;64(2):115-23. doi:10.1038/ejcn.2009.111.
Concer ME, Canever L, Souza MCG, Madeira K, Cancillier SG, Damázio LS, et al. Evaluation of intestinal constipation in higher education students at a university in the extreme south of Santa Catarina. Rev Inov Saúde. 2023;12(4):899-913. doi:10.36239/revisa.v12.n4.p899a913.
Machado WM, Capelari SM. Evaluation of the efficacy and degree of adherence to prolonged use of dietary fiber in the treatment of functional constipation. Rev Nutr. 2010;23(2):231-8. doi:10.1590/S1415-52732010000200006.
Martinez AP, Azevedo GR. Translation, cultural adaptation and validation of the Bristol Stool Form Scale. Rev Latino-Am Nursing. 2012;20(3):583-9. doi:10.1590/S0104-11692012000300020.
Muñoz R. Intestinal constipation and associated factors in university students in the health field. Salusvita Rev Cienc Saúde. 2016;35(3):351-66.
Nogueira PS, Sichieri R. Determinants of food consumption in Brazilian university students. Rev Nutr. 2019;32:e190021. doi:10.1590/1678-9865201932e190021.
Alves HJ, Boog MCF. Eating behavior in student housing: a space for health promotion. Rev Saude Publica. 2007;41(2):197-204. doi:10.1590/S0034-89102007000200005.
Leite JA. Place of residence and food markers among university students [dissertation]. Brasília: University of Brasília; 2021.
Rosa PBZ, Giusti L, Ramos M. Food and nutrition education with university students living in student housing. Cienc Saude. 2016;9(1):15. doi:10.15448/1983-652x.2016.1.20852.
Bonalume AJ, Alves MK, Conde SR. Consumption of ultra-processed foods and nutritional status of university students. Rev Destaques Acad. 2020;12(3):31-45. doi:10.22410/issn.2176-3070.v12i3a2020.2651.
Loureiro MP. Nutritional status and eating habits of university students [dissertation]. Campinas: State University of Campinas; 2016.
Carleto CT. Health and quality of life of university students in the health field. Rev Fam Ciclos Vida Saúde Contexto Soc. 2019;7(1):53-63.
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Alice de Almeida Felinto , Charly Ribeiro da Costa Filho, Amanda Forster Lopes, Camila Ferreira Silva Leonel, Luciane Perez da Costa Fernandes (Autor)
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Autores que publicam nesta revista concordam com os seguintes termos:
Autores mantém os direitos autorais e concedem à revista o direito de primeira publicação, com o trabalho simultaneamente licenciado sob a Licença Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 que permite o compartilhamento do trabalho com reconhecimento da autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
Autores têm autorização para distribuição não-exclusiva da versão do trabalho publicada nesta revista (ex.: publicar em repositório institucional ou como capítulo de livro), com reconhecimento de autoria e publicação inicial nesta revista.
