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Anthropometric assessment according to body mass index in a University of Quito

Abstract:

Objective To evaluate the nutritional status of undergraduate university students aged between 19 and 24 years, from the Universidad Central de Ecuador (UCE) and the Universidad Tecnológica de Ecuador (UTE) of Quito, according to the body mass index (BMI) and using anthropometric indicators. Materials and Methods A sample was established consisting of 235 students who regularly use university canteens (53% women; 47% men). The study was carried out between July 2013 and March 2014. Results A prevalence of malnutrition was found in 28.1% of the sample, evidencing a higher percentage of overweight (22.1%) than of low weight (6.0%). These data were more critical in men (34.2%) than in women (22.6%). Conclusion Overweight and obesity in Ecuadorian university students were 18.3% and 3.8%, respectively, which is lower than the figures reported for the country in the National Health and Nutrition Survey.