Eating habits and nutrition in medical students

Abstract

According to medical science, health is directly linked to what we eat during our lives and most of the time it is responsible for an existence with fewer diseases and an active and healthy old age. "Eating habits" brings a problem when we think about defining the real meaning of the term, since there are two aspects, that is, food and nutrition and also taking into account that the human being is a biopsychosocial individual, this involves other areas of science. In the context of nutritious eating, the term “food habit” corresponds to what is eaten regularly. Eating habits correspond predominantly to what is eaten regularly. As an empirical category, devoid of conceptualization or epistemological problematization, it corresponds to an expression of common sense in the academy, naturalized, studied from procedures typical of simplifying thought. (1) To maintain a balanced metabolism, the body must continuously obtain the so-called nutrients, substances provided by food, which must be consumed in adequate quantity and variety. Once the food is digested, its nutrients are absorbed and distributed to all tissues. Some nutrients are used to build and repair living matter; others unfold for the release of energy essential for vital activities. (2) According to the survey carried out with 165 students from the first to the ninth semester of the medical career of the Integración de las Américas University, according to the data analysis it was possible to verify that the consumption of food at home is higher in both genders, totaling 72%, as well as it was also observed that women eat more outside the home compared to men. 19% of women consume food outside the home, and as for the male gender only 9%.

58% do have their diet made up of three main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner), while 42% of students do not eat the three main meals of the day, of these 28% do not eat breakfast, which is essential, then we have 8% of the participants who eat only breakfast and lunch, and finally, 6% eat breakfast and dinner. The age of the students presented an average of 28 years, with a range of 18 to 62 years. Regarding gender, 56% of the students were female and 44% were male.