Eating habits and their relationship with physiological risk factors in university students

Having adequate eating habits represents a protective factor for the development of physiological risk factors. However, the diet of young people is characterized by the addiction to fast food and skipping meals. The aim of this study was to analyze the association between the eating habit index (EHI) and physiological risk factors in university students. A crosssectional study was conducted at the Autonomous University of Ciudad Ju & aacute;rez (UACJ). 354 new students participated. An EHI was developed and its relationship between physiological characteristics was analyzed using linear regression. 73.5% of the students had a regular EHI. Women had a higher proportion of bad EHI than men (16.7% vs. 5.6%). Good eating habits were associated with a decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure (3 =- 3.08 and (3 =- 5.00 respectively (p < 0.05), while poor eating habits led to an increase in diastolic pressure, (3 = 2.27, p < 0.05. An eating habit index was generated in the UACJ students and a decrease in blood pressure was observed, as the eating habit index classified as good increased.