Influence of sociological factors on the use of a state scholarship to feed Chilean university students

Abstract

Knowing the influence of sociodemographic factors in the use of the Junaeb Baes food benefit granted by the Chilean Government to low-income university students is necessary to increase the social benefit of this state program. The variables gender, mode of residence, major and year, ethnicity and socioeconomic position were considered. A survey was applied to 114 Chilean university students. The results show that socioeconomic position and mode of residence are the most influential sociodemographic factors in the use of the Baes benefit. The gender variable did not show statistically significant differences. It is concluded that it is possible to increase the percentage of spending on healthy foods if sociological factors are considered in the study and design of policies for the use of the Baes grant.