EATING BEHAVIOR IN STUDENTS OF THE NURSING CAREER OF THE TECHNICAL UNIVERSITY OF AMBATO DURING THE CONFINEMENT DUE TO THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC

Abstract

Introduction: Eating behaviors are habits or customs that students adopt throughout their training, with variable characteristics. Objective: To evaluate the eating behavior of Nursing students during the confinement due to the COVID-19 Pandemic. Methods: A quantitative, descriptive, observational, cross-sectional approach was used, with a sample of 215 students, to whom an eating behavior questionnaire was applied, validated by experts, evaluating the selection, preparation, eating times, preferences of food intake, beliefs and barriers to change. Results: 36.6% of students choose food based on taste; 51.6% like meat and seafood; 7.9% dislike nuts. 50.2% eat accompanied; 46.0% have breakfast from 9 to 10 am on weekends; 47.9% have lunch from 2 to 3 p.m. and 45.9% have snacks from 7 to 8 p.m. from Monday to Friday. Likewise, 65.6% consume prepared foods; 39.1% consume them fried; 75.8% drink soft drinks. Regarding eating out, 38.1% and 37.2% eat excessively, 43.3% show disinterest in nutritional labels, so 57.7% do not avoid food, and finally a 42.8% of students lack commitment to improve their diet, where 0.5% show disinterest. Conclusions: Eating behavior is inappropriate, preferring food for its taste or its visual appeal, over nutritional value because they are not interested in nutritional labels, relegating fruits and vegetables.