Eating patterns associated with the eating behavior of university students in a higher education institution

Objective: Analyze the correlation between eating patterns and eating behavior of university students in a higher education institution. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study with a descriptive and analytical approach, of a quantitative nature. Data collection was carried out through an interview, using semi-structured forms (socioeconomic, demographic and food consumption data) and a structured questionnaire (Dutch questionnaire on eating behavior) by the researchers and other students of the nutrition course. Results: A statistically significant association was found between the sociodemographic variable gender (p=0.014) and the "healthy eating pattern"; between course (p=0.028) and the "diet pattern" and age (p=0.012) with the "mixed pattern". It was also found through the interpretation of the data found and after the analysis, the prevalence of eating motivated by external factors among the variables investigated. Conclusion: It was evident that factors such as appearance, taste and social factors have a strong influence on college students in their food choices. This points to the need for students to recognize the predominance of this behavior as a regulating factor in their diet, making it necessary to practice self-observation and, from there, develop a balance between external motivation and perception of internal signs.