Fatores que influenciam as escolhas alimentares de estudantes de Nutrição: uma análise por gênero

Abstract

Introduction: Aspects such as culture, economy and health must be analyzed to understand an individual's food choices. The biological and social characteristics of each gender can interfere with the motivations to eat. Objectives: To compare the factors that influence the food choices of male and female nutrition students. Methods: Study carried out with students from a public university enrolled in the Nutrition course. A sociodemographic questionnaire and The Eating Motivation Survey (TEMS) were applied. For data analysis, we used the Mann-Whitney test and a significance level of 5%. Results: The study consisted of 187 students, most of whom reported being female (n=154), single (n=179), being financially dependent (n=175) and living with their family (n=142). There was a significant difference for the Natural Issues, Weight Control and Emotion Control dimensions. Women had a higher median for Natural Issues and Emotion Control, and men had a higher median for Weight Control. Conclusion: It is recommended that the topic be addressed more frequently among Nutrition professionals and students, in order to assist in more assertive behaviors for the individual and the scientific community.