Comparação da imagem corporal, estado nutricional, comportamento e consumo alimentar entre discentes matriculados em períodos iniciais e finais de cursos da área da saúde de uma universidade de Belém-Pa

Abstract

The objective was to compare parameters of body image, nutritional status, behavior and food consumption among students enrolled in initial and final periods of courses in the health area of a university in Belém­PA. Cross ­ sectional study with non probabilistic sampling for the convenience of 195 students, comprising 97 students and 98 undergraduate students from the Federal University of Pará (UFPA). An online questionnaire was subdivided into 10 sections with questions related to economic and sociodemographic profile, behavior, body image and food consumption. The Excel program was used to compile and tabulate the data, and the statistical analyzes were performed in the SPSS program (IBM, USA) version 20.0. There was a statistically significant difference between the enrollment and completion classes and the variables age (p <0.000), gender (p <0.000), marital status (p <0.000), "who resides" (p <0.000), number of children (p <0.000) and family income (p <0.000). There was no difference between the groups mentioned and the variables smoking (p = 0.772), alcohol consumption (p = 0.703) and physical activity (p = 0.948), as well as desire for weight change (p = 0.797), body mass index (p = 0.928) and body image (p = 0.734). However, the vast majority of students evaluated are dissatisfied with their body image, (prevalence above 70% among students and students). There was a statistically significant difference (p = 0.043) between the classes evaluated for healthy foods, with the consumption of this type of food being higher among the participants (3.1 ± 1.2) than the final ones (2.8 ± 1.1). There was no statistical difference between the subscales of food behavior and the classes evaluated. There was a higher consumption of healthy foods by the evaluated population, being even greater among the course participants. In addition, the prevalence of dissatisfaction with body image and low desire for maintenance of current body weight was high.