Özet:

Considering the relationship between nutritional knowledge and nutritional status, this work was proposed with the objective of evaluating the nutritional knowledge of undergraduate students entering health courses at the University of Minas Gerais (UEMG), Passos unit, and its association with socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status. This is an observational study, with a non-probabilistic sampling design. The Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire (QCN) was used as a measurement instrument. The nutritional status was evaluated by Body Mass Index (BMI) and Body Fat Percentage (% G). Abdominal Circumference (AC) was measured to determine the risk of metabolic complications. The chi-square test (X2) was used to study the association between knowledge in nutrition and the variables of interest, with a significance level of 5%. 110 students participated in the study, with a mean age of 21 ± 6 years, of which 77% (n = 85) were female. When knowledge of nutrition, the majority presented moderate knowledge (57%, n = 63). Regarding nutritional status by BMI, 67% (n = 74) of the students presented adequacy. However, when evaluated by the %G, it was observed that 40% (n = 30) were obese. In relation to AC, 19% (n = 21) presented an increased risk for chronic morbidities and 14% (n = 15) a substantially increased risk. There was a significant association between knowledge in nutrition and course (X2 = 17.392, p = 0.008), with a better performance of nutrition students when compared to biomedicine, medicine and nursing courses. There was no significant association between knowledge on nutrition and socio-demographic characteristics and nutritional status.

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