Prevalence of inadequacy for macronutrient and fiber intake among Brazilian university students in the health care field

The knowledge on how many individuals ingest more or less than recommended amounts is relevant for planning health care actions. The prevalence of inadequacy corresponds to the proportion of individuals whose usual intake is lower than the Estimated Average Requirements (EAR). This study aimed at estimating the prevalence of inadequacy for macronutrient intake among female university students in Brazil. Ninety-five students from five health care university programs were evaluated. Such students’ average age was 20.9±0.57 years. Data were obtained from three-day dietary records. Nutritional calculation was performed by the NutWin software. The PC-Side program was used for statistical analyses. The Nutrition students showed mean intake of 1,592.6±629.28 calories; 97.9% of these showed insufficient intake for calories, 98.9% for carbohydrates, 85.1% for proteins, 70.3% for lipids and 97.8% for fibers. The Medicine students showed mean intake of 1,685.14±531.84 calories; 83.5% presented insufficient intake for calories, and 98.9%, 61.52%, 46.87% and 98.1% showed insufficient intake for carbohydrates, proteins, lipids and fibers respectively. Among the Nursing students, mean intake was of 1,942.86±658.12 calories; insufficent intake for calories was found in 58%, for carbohydrates in 79.5%, for proteins in 31.7%, for lipids in 23% and for fibers in 96.7%. The Biology students showed mean intake of 2,063.59±666.36 calories; 36.3% showed insufficient intake for calories, 66.3% for carbohydrates, 30.3% for proteins, 18% for lipids and 84.8% for fibers. The students of Biology for Medical Sciences ingested, on average, 2,417.26±1,027.9 calories; 28.2% showed insufficient intake for calories, 40% for carbohydrates, 45.7% for proteins, 15.3% for lipids and 97.4% for fibers. Although the students were aware of the importance of a balanced diet, their diets showed to be inadequate for macronutrients and fibers, which can lead to health damage in the future.