Variations in nutritional status, blood pressure and dietary patterns in young people after admission to higher education

Abstract

The objective was to analyze the changes in nutritional status, blood pressure and dietary patterns, of young people evaluated during their induction week and six months after being admitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences of a public university in Valparaiso, Chile. This was a comparative study, with a longitudinal cohort, per-protocol analysis. Anthropometric evaluation included standardized measures of weight, height and waist circumference. Body composition was determined through bioelectrical impedance, and blood pressure was measured using a digital sphygmomanometer. Dietary patterns were determined through a survey of quantified consumption trends. Measurements were taken at the beginning (n= 139) and end of the first term in 2017 (n=76). In both sexes, significant increases in body weight, BMI, fat mass and systolic blood pressure were observed. Furthermore, in men, increases in waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure (p<0.05) were observed. Men significantly decreased their dairy consumption (-43.1%) and increased their consumption of processed meats and fast-food (40.6%). Conversely, women significantly decreased their soft drink consumption (-58.0%) and caffeinated products (-54.1%). No changes in energy and macronutrient consumption were observed. A high percentage of the participants presented a deficient consumption of polyunsaturated fatty acids?-3, dietary fiber, and certain vitamins and minerals. They also presented excessive consumption of saturated fatty acids, phosphorus and sodium. Negative changes were identified in nutritional state, blood pressure and dietary patterns when admitted in tertiary education.