Hábitos alimenticios en alumnos y trabajadores de la Universidad Miguel Hernández

Abstract

Objective: To describe the feeding habits of a university community. Material and methods: A transversal descriptive study was performed. The instrument used was a questionnaire of frequency of consumption, administered by an interview with a random sample of 147 people. It consisted of four sections; 1) number of meals and place where they are taken, 2) consumption patterns of the different food groups, 3) ways of preparing foods, 4) identification and demographic data. Results: In comparison with the pattern of Vivanco and Palacios, our sample is characterised by: high meat consumption (4 times/week), reduction in the consumption of eggs (2 times/week), an increase in consumption of complex carbohydrates (5 times/week), slightly lower consumption of fruit (5 times/week), insufficient intake of greens (4 times/week), vegetables (2 times/week) and fish (2.5 times/week). Conclusions and Recommendations: In line with the studies referenced, it would be useful to reduce the consumption of meat, to be replaced by an increase in fish, greens, garden produce and vegetable intake. Foods that had a regular place in our Mediterranean diet seem to have been abandoned in favour of adoption of a diet that tends to cultural homogenisation.