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de Moraes Prata Gaspar MC, Soar C, Aguilera M, Gomez MC, Celorio-Sardà R, Comas-Basté O, Vidal-Carou MC. What Is Considered Healthy Eating? An Exploratory Study among College Students of Nutrition and Food Science. Nutrients 2024; 16:1365. [PMID: 38732611 PMCID: PMC11085627 DOI: 10.3390/nu16091365] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/13/2024] [Revised: 04/21/2024] [Accepted: 04/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/13/2024] Open
Abstract
In modern industrialized societies, the focus on healthy eating has increased significantly across multiple sectors, including the media, public policy, expert opinion, and public awareness. The aim of this research was to explore the perceptions of healthy eating and the barriers to adopting a healthy diet among undergraduate students in Human Nutrition and Dietetics (HND) and Food Science and Technology (FST) degrees in Spain. An exploratory and descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted using a qualitative and quantitative methodology and convenience sampling. Two focus groups and a questionnaire were utilized (300 participants from all academic years completed the survey). Differences in definitions of healthy eating and perceived barriers were found between genders and students at different stages of training (p < 0.05). In their understanding of healthy eating, the students placed importance on balance, variety, moderation, and individual factors. Although students considered it easy to follow a healthy diet, family's eating habits, time availability, and emotional states were found to be the main barriers to the implementation of healthy practices. The obtained data supports the need to critically address perceptions of healthy eating throughout the training of nutrition and food science professionals. The insights obtained on the perceived barriers highlight the importance of considering both individual and environmental factors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Clara de Moraes Prata Gaspar
- Departament d’Antropologia Social, Facultat de Geografia i Història, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Carrer de Montalegre 6, 08001 Barcelona, Spain; (M.C.d.M.P.G.); (M.C.G.)
- Institut de Recerca en Nutrició i Seguretat Alimentària (INSA-UB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain;
| | - Claudia Soar
- Nutrition Post-Graduate Program, Department of Nutrition, Federal University of Santa Catarina, Florianopolis 88040-900, Brazil;
| | - Mari Aguilera
- Departament de Cognició, Desenvolupament i Psicologia de l’Educació, Secció Cognició, Facultat de Psicologia, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain;
- Institut de Neurociències (UBNeuro), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Passeig de la Vall d’Hebron, 171, 08035 Barcelona, Spain
- NeuroDevelop eHealth Lab, eHealth Center, Universitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC), Rambla de Poble Nou 156, 08018 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Maria Clara Gomez
- Departament d’Antropologia Social, Facultat de Geografia i Història, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Carrer de Montalegre 6, 08001 Barcelona, Spain; (M.C.d.M.P.G.); (M.C.G.)
| | - Ricard Celorio-Sardà
- Institut de Recerca en Nutrició i Seguretat Alimentària (INSA-UB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain;
- Departament de Nutrició, Ciències de l’Alimentació i Gastronomia, Campus de l’Alimentació de Torribera, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
| | - Oriol Comas-Basté
- Institut de Recerca en Nutrició i Seguretat Alimentària (INSA-UB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain;
- Departament de Nutrició, Ciències de l’Alimentació i Gastronomia, Campus de l’Alimentació de Torribera, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
| | - M. Carmen Vidal-Carou
- Institut de Recerca en Nutrició i Seguretat Alimentària (INSA-UB), Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain;
- Departament de Nutrició, Ciències de l’Alimentació i Gastronomia, Campus de l’Alimentació de Torribera, Universitat de Barcelona (UB), Av. Prat de la Riba 171, 08921 Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Spain
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