Adapting to the university environment impacts the dietary consumption and nutritional status of incoming students

University admission can influence the lifestyle and eating behavior of young people. Therefore, the present study aimed to identify the dietary intake and nutritional status of university students and possible modifications during their first year at the university. A longitudinal observational study was conducted with 68 incoming students at the Federal University of Sao Paulo. Clinical and sociodemographic data were collected, as well as dietary habits through a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) and anthropometric data. The Friedman test was used to compare linked sample data, non -parametric analysis of repeated ordinal data, and measures of central tendency and dispersion for descriptive data analysis. The results identified a reduction in the consumption of most food groups present in the FFQ, especially meats, fish and eggs, vegetables and legumes, natural juices, and fats. There was an increase in the frequency of fast food consumption. An increase in the mean weight, body mass index (BMI), arm circumference adequacy percentage, and waist circumference was also observed. Most of the participants remained sedentary or insufficiently active throughout the evaluations, with no statistical significance between the variations found. Based on the data found, it was concluded that despite being incoming students at a health -related university, there was no perceived concern for maintaining healthy lifestyles, based on the increase in fast food consumption, the reduction in fruit, vegetable, and legume intake, and the maintenance of sedentary behavior by most participants.