Eating strategies in university students, quality of breakfast, and socioeconomic conditions

Abstract

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze food strategies, the quality of breakfast and the practice of physical activity in medical students, related to their socioeconomic conditions, and body mass index.

Methodology: This study was a cross-sectional comparative study in 2nd-year students sitting a course in medicine at the University of Mexico. An instrument was developed and validated to collect the variables indicated, which was applied online using the Formstack platform. We used X2 or Fisher’s exact and t-test for independent samples or the Mann–Whitney U-test and performed logistic regression.

Results: The logistic regression model indicated that being over 20 years of age, male, obese, and with a low physical activity index were risk factors associated with unhealthy food strategies, with no statistically significant difference. The risk was 41.2-fold in individuals reporting a poor-breakfast quality and six-fold in those who did not eat breakfast. The odds ratio values for insufficient and satisfactory quality of breakfast were at risk, with no statistically significant difference. Not having enough food was a 7.9-fold predictor of risk. Unhealthy food strategies were observed in more than 70% of students with intermediate and inadequate economic resources and in which the average expenditure on food was low.

Conclusion: Healthy eating habits need to be promoted at the Faculty of Medicine, in addition to stressing the importance of a good quality breakfast and engagement in physical activity among students.