Eating Habits in Overweight and Obese College Students

Authors

  • Maritza Evangelina Villanueva-Benites Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana
  • Ruth Vílchez-Ramírez Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana
  • Elba Flores-Torres Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana
  • Olger Dawis Román-Vílchez Colegio de Nutricionistas del Perú
  • Jesús Jacinto Magallanes-Castilla Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana
  • Walter Capa-Luque Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Perú

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.791.349

Keywords:

eating habits, overweight, obesity, university students

Abstract

Objectives: To analyze eating habits and body mass index in overweight and obese
university students.
Materials and methods: This was a correlational observational study. The sample consisted of 74
overweight and obese university health science students. Diagnostic tools included a TANITA SC-240
multifrequency bioimpedance meter, a Seca 222 wall measuring rod, a sociodemographic factors
questionnaire, and an eating habits questionnaire (validity 0.90, Cronbach’s alpha 0.682 reliability).
SPSS version 26 was used for statistical analysis.
Results: 56.8% of the students were overweight, 28.4% were Obese I, and 14.9% were Obese II,
predominantly among males. A total of 52.7% reported consuming breakfast outside the home. Regarding
nutritional intake, most of the students reported inadequate frequency of food consumption,
particularly of fish (67.6%), legumes (60.8%), vegetables (44.6%), and eggs (32.4%). It was found that low intake of fish and vegetables, alongside excessive sweets consumption, were significantly
associated with higher body mass index (p < 0.05).
Conclusions: The findings corroborate the prevalence of body composition imbalances in the undergraduate
population, showing a high rate of overweight in women and obesity in men

Author Biographies

  • Maritza Evangelina Villanueva-Benites, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana

    Licenciada en Enfermería. Doctora en Psicología. Profesora principal, Facultad de
    Enfermería, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana. maritza.villanueva@
    unapiquitos.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9196-1832

  • Ruth Vílchez-Ramírez, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana

    Licenciada en Enfermería. Doctora en Salud Colectiva. Profesora principal, Facultad
    de Enfermería, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana.
    ruth.vilchez@unapiquitos.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7246-3977

  • Elba Flores-Torres, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana

    Licenciada en Enfermería. Doctora en Educación. Profesora principal, Facultad
    de Enfermería, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana.
    elba.flores@unapiquitos.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4991-587X

  • Olger Dawis Román-Vílchez, Colegio de Nutricionistas del Perú

    Licenciado en Nutrición Humana. Colegio de Nutricionistas del Perú.
    olger.roman.vilchez@gmail.com.
    https //orcid.org/0000-0003-1160-0215

  • Jesús Jacinto Magallanes-Castilla, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana

    Médico Cirujano. Magíster en Salud Pública. Profesor principal, Facultad de Medicina Humana, Universidad Nacional de la Amazonía Peruana.
    jesus.magallanes@unapiquitos.edu.pe. https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9130-9123

  • Walter Capa-Luque, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal, Perú

    Licenciado en Psicología. Doctor en Psicología. Profesor asociado, Facultad de
    Psicología, Universidad Nacional Federico Villarreal (Perú). wcapa@unfv.edu.pe.
    https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4342-9264

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Published

2026-07-09

Issue

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

How to Cite

Eating Habits in Overweight and Obese College Students. (2026). SCIENTIFIC JOURNAL SALUD UNINORTE, 42(2), 319-336. https://doi.org/10.14482/sun.42.02.791.349

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