Comensalidade em estudantes de uma universidade pública do Rio Grande do Sul

Abstract

In 2014, the Ministry of Health published a second edition of the Food Guide for the Brazilian Population that addresses the principles and guidelines for proper and healthy eating. Among his recommendations, show the chapter on the act of eating and commensality, which presents three basic orientations: 1st - eat regularly and carefully; 2nd - eat in appropriate environments; 3rd - eat in company. Commensality, that is, the act of “eating together” is a way of maintaining or even starting new relationships, involves the time and attention devoted to eating, the environment in which he gives and shares meals. The objective was to investigate the act of eating in company and participate in activities that involve eating in students of the Federal University of Pampa, Itaqui/RS campus. This cross-sectional observational study was conducted with incoming students at the Federal University of Pampa, Itaqui/RS campus, in 2019. The outcome was the third orientation on eating and commensality: “eating in company - whenever possible, prefer company, family, friends or co-workers or school. Also try to share as domestic activities that precede or succeed the consumption of meals”. The exposure variables investigated were gender, age, housing composition, occupation, economic class and study shift. Data collection took place in april and may 2019 in the classroom. The collected data were reviewed, duplicated in EpiData 3.1 program and exported to Stata 12.1 program, where they were executed as statistical statistics. Of the 207 students who participated in the survey, most reported having breakfast without company, while lunch and dinner are usually held in the presence of colleagues, family and/or friends. Most students participate “sometimes” in meal planning and preparation, and “always” participate in food shopping and cleaning utensils and the environment. In addition, most students 30 and older reported that they usually eat breakfast with companies, and students who live alone are the least likely to eat as three meals with them. Women who attended the “sometimes” or “always” meal planning and preparation were more frequent than men. Commensality is usually held by college students during lunch and dinner, and student participation in activities involving eating.