Energy and macronutrient intake and dietary pattern among Universidade Lusófona students – a pilot study

• Main Authors: Joana Marcos, Raquel Carriço, Nelson Tavares, Carla Sá
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: ALIES - Associação Lusófona para o Desenvolvimento da Investigação e do Ensino das Ciências da Saúde 2019-06-01
• Series: Journal Biomedical and Biopharmaceutical Research (BBR)
• Subjects: university students; food frequency questionnaire; recommended intake
• Online Access: http://www.alies.pt/BBR%20Editions/Vol-17-1-2020/bbr.17.1.221.pdf

Food choices for adopting a healthy lifestyle are influenced by a set of factors. Early adulthood and university entry are crucial for the development of eating habits that will be decisive in quality of life. In Portugal, there are few studies that assess the nutritional status of university students. The main objective of this study, as a pilot study, was to characterize the dietary habits of university students at Universidade Lusófona in Lisbon, Portugal. This cross-sectional descriptive study included university students, aged between 18 and 28 years old. Anthropometric data were collected, and body mass index was calculated. The dietary habits were assessed through a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, administered directly. The average daily intake values were: energy, 2282.9 ± 954.0 kcal, 243.2 g of carbohydrates, 114.2 g of proteins, and 100.9 g of lipids. These values include a protein intake of 25.40%, 52.11% carbohydrate and 22.47% lipids. It was concluded that there is an increase in protein and lipid intake in samples from the university students evaluated.