Factors Associated with Meat Consumption in Students of Spanish Universities: UniHcos Project

Eating Habits in Patients with Familial Hypercholesterolemia from North-Eastern Romania

(1) Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a genetic autosomal dominant disorder characterized by elevated levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL) that develops deposits of lipids in the arterial wall. Since it is underdiagnosed and undertreated, the disease has a high risk of premature cardiovascular disease and death. Patients are not always aware of the changes they should make in their diet. Thus, our study aimed to evaluate through a food frequency questionnaire their eating habits. (2) Methods: We included 70 patients with FH and 20 subjects in a control group that were evaluated through a physical examination and blood tests. They also completed a food frequency questionnaire. (3) Results: Throughout our study, we observed several aspects: regardless of age, patients with FH had higher carbohydrate intakes compared to the control group; from the same group, a positive correlation was observed between salami intake and the levels of glucose and glycated hemoglobin. Moreover, the sour cream preference was associated with higher liver function tests. In the control group, we observed a higher intake of pasta and fast food and fewer fruit portions. (4) Conclusions: As far as we know, this is the first study from Romania that evaluated the eating habits of patients diagnosed with FH. Our study reveals that, although patients with FH avoid junk food, they still have a high intake of carbohydrates when compared to the control group. Further research is needed in order to get a comprehensive nutritional evaluation of these patients.

Campus Decarbonization: Students’ Perceptions for Reducing Meat Consumption in a Portuguese University

This study is focused on perceptions regarding meat consumption, targeting university students. This is a timely topic in a context of climate change (CC), sustainability in agri-food systems and in universities. Recently, some universities adopted food-related CC mitigation measures, by removing some types of meat from their canteens. This research intended to find trends, at a Portuguese university, on consumption habits and on willingness to reduce meat. The methodology follows a quantitative and descriptive approach. The universe is the students’ community from the University of Aveiro, with a random sample of 876 valid questionnaires. Although results show that meat is a substantial part of students’ diet, most of them are willing to reduce this product, and mainly for environmental reasons. Undergraduate students have higher level of awareness in this matter, namely from Natural Sciences. Female students are more receptive to diet changes. Further studies and educational actions on Diet-CC should be promoted in all levels of Academy, especially in PhD, Social Sciences and with gender differentiation. Such results may support an effectively participatory discussion to better decide on decarbonization of the Campus through the diet.

Perfil alimentar e inatividade física em mulheres universitárias na cidade de Brasília

Resumo Objetivo Analisar a associação entre perfil alimentar, atividade física e estado nutricional entre mulheres universitárias. Método Estudo transversal com 1500 mulheres. O questionário abordava questões sobre a vigilância de fatores de risco e proteção para doenças crônicas. As associações foram analisadas pelo teste qui-quadrado e análise de correspondência múltipla. Resultados Das 1500 mulheres, 64,3% tinham entre 20 e 29 anos. Aquelas fisicamente ativas consumiram mais frutas (p<0,01), salada (p<0,01) e vegetais/verduras (p<0,01), enquanto as fisicamente inativas consumiram mais refrigerantes (p<0,01), carne com gordura visível (p=0,03) e leite com gordura (p=0,04). As mulheres fisicamente inativas também apresentaram maior prevalência de diabetes mellitus (p<0,01), colesterol elevado (p<0,01) e dislipidemia (p=0,04). Conclusão e implicação para a prática As universitárias apresentaram comportamentos de risco a sua saúde, onde o consumo de álcool, baixo consumo de alimentos saudáveis e a alta prevalência de inatividade física contribuíram para o aumento dos fatores de risco para doenças crônicas. Ações preventivas com a participação de uma equipe multidisciplinar ajudará na melhora da saúde no ambiente acadêmico.