ABSTRACT
Various methodologies have been proposed to assess the overall quality of diet, but there are no specific indicators in Latin America. The purpose of this work was to propose a Healthy Eating Index according to the recommendations of the Chilean Ministry of Health and to validate their application in a national sample of students. A food frequency survey with 12 variables was used: 5 healthy foods, 4 unhealthy foods and 3 main meals. Each variable was rated from 1 (less healthy) to 10 (recommended by the Ministry of Health). Total scores were used to classify diets as healthy (90-120), in need of changes (60-89) and unhealthy (<60). The questionnaire was administered to 9,452 university students and was evaluated according to sex, age and nutritional status. The median score was 65.5 (54.5 to 77.9: p25-75) and 9.2% had healthy diets, 55.3% needed changes and 35.5% had unhealthy diets, without differences by sex and modest differences by nutritional status (p< 0.05). Younger age related to an unhealthy diet (p< 0.005). The instrument is easily applied by health professionals and can be adapted to the recommendations of each country. There are serious deficiencies in diet quality among college students, regardless of their nutritional status and sex.
Se han propuesto diversas metodologías para evaluar la calidad global de la alimentación, pero no existen índices específicos en Latinoamérica. El objetivo de este trabajo fue proponer un Índice de Alimentación Saludable de acuerdo a recomendaciones del Ministerio de Salud de Chile y validar su aplicación en una muestra nacional de estudiantes universitarios. Se utilizó la encuesta de frecuencia de consumo con 12 variables: 5 alimentos saludables, 4 no saludables y 3 de comidas principales. Cada variable fue evaluada de 1 (menos saludable) a 10 (recomendación ministerial) y el puntaje total se clasificó: saludable (90-120), necesita cambios (60-89) y poco saludable (< 60). Se encuestaron 9.452 estudiantes universitarios de diferentes y se evaluó el índice según sexo, edad y estado nutricional. La mediana fue solo 65,5 puntos (p25-75= 54,5-77,9); 9,2% saludable; 55,3% necesitaba cambios y 35,5% poco saludable, sin diferencias por sexo y muy leves según estado nutricional (p< 0,05). A menor edad menos saludable (p< 0,005). El instrumento fue fácil de aplicar por profesionales de la salud y puede ser adaptado a las recomendaciones de cada país. Existen graves deficiencias en la calidad de la alimentación en estudiantes universitarios, independientemente de su estado nutricional y sexo.
Subject(s)
Humans , Students , Universities , Diet , Nutrition Assessment , Diet, Healthy/standards , Food QualityABSTRACT
Background: Lifestyles and a poor nutritional status are two factors iníluencing the high prevalence of non communicable chronic diseases among Chilean workers. Aim: To characterize lifestyles and nutritional status of workers from the public and prívate sector, residing in the Fifth and in the Metropolitan regions of Chile. Material and methods: Nutritional status, blood pressure, cholesterol, glycemia, previous medical history, feeding habits and smoking status were assessed in 1,036 women and 709 men aged 38+11 years. Results: Feeding habits were characterized by a low consumption of fruits, vegetables, fish and dairy products and a high consumption offat and sugar Forty five percent smoked and 88 percent were sedentary. Forty two percent were overweight, 18 percent were obese, 39 percent had high blood cholesterol, 23 percent hypertension and 4 percent diabetes. There was a positive relationship between obesity and hypertension with an odds ratio (OR) adjusted for sex and educationallevéis of 2.6 (95 percent confidence intervals (Cl) 1.9-3.7) and diabetes with an OR of 2.8 (95 percent CI 1.6-4.7). Eighty two percent of obese and 28 percent of overweight subjects underestimated their nutritional status. Conclusions: A high prevalence of overweight and inadequate lifestyles was found in this population. There was a low self perception of obesity and lack of knowledge about risk factors for chronic diseases.