Factors associated with dietary intake in Peruvian university students in post-pandemic times; [Factores asociados a la ingesta dietética en universitarios peruanos en tiempos de post pandemia]

Abstract

Introduction: The dietary intake of Peruvian university students may be affected by different factors that determine a physical and mental health condition which frustrates optimal academic development. Objective: To identify the factors associated with dietary intake in Peruvian university students in post-pandemic times. Material and methods: The study was cross-sectional, 393 Peruvian university students participated in a dietary intake survey with 8 food groups (tubers and roots, cereals and derivatives, vegetables, menestras, meats and derivatives, ultra-processed foods, vegetable oils, vegetables, fruits), 7 factors (living with the family, place of food consumption, alcohol consumption, tobacco consumption, economic changes in the home, hours of sleep, physical activity) and three categories (decreased, unchanged, increased). Bivariate analysis was performed between food groups and factors associated with dietary intake and the Chi-square test was used. Results: Food had a direct association with cereal and tuber intake with family coexistence (p=0.037; p=0.01 respectively), menestras with place of food consumption (p=0.002) and family coexistence (p=0.001), meat intake with place of food consumption (p= 0.006), alcohol consumption (p= 0.028) and economic changes in the household (p=0.033). Fruit intake with physical activity (p=0.021), vegetable intake with family coexistence (p= 0.003), place of food consumption (p= 0.001), alcohol consumption (p=0.049) and hours of sleep (p=0.036). Vegetable oil intake with family cohabitation (p=0.02) and ultra-processed food with place of consumption (p=0.002) and alcohol consumption (p=0.044). Conclusions: The food intake of Peruvian university students was directly associated with family coexistence, place of food consumption, alcohol consumption, economic changes in the home, physical activity and hours of sleep. © 2023 Sociedad espanola de dietetica. All rights reserved.