Eating Behavior, Food Consumption Frequency, and Nutritional Status Among Undergraduate Nursing Students: A Cross‐Sectional Study

Abstract

ABSTRACT University nursing students face academic and lifestyle pressures that may compromise food choices and nutritional status. This study evaluated the relationship between eating behavior, food consumption frequency, and nutritional status in this population. Cross‐sectional study with 61 undergraduate nursing students. BMI was calculated from measured weight and height (WHO criteria). Food consumption frequency was assessed using the FFQ‐ELSA‐Brasil (76 items) and eating behavior using the TFEQ‐21 (Cognitive Restraint, Uncontrolled Eating, Emotional Eating). Spearman's correlation and Kruskal–Wallis test were applied (α = 0.05). The sample was predominantly female (93.4%), young (93.4% aged 18–25 years), and eutrophic (65.0%; mean BMI: 23.07 ± 4.19 kg/m2), with 15.0% overweight, 11.7% underweight, and 8.3% Grade I obesity. The TFEQ‐21 assessment showed a median Cognitive Restraint score of 50.00 (IQR = 45.45–54.55), a median Uncontrolled Eating score of 59.26 (IQR = 51.85–66.67), and a median Emotional Eating score of 55.56 (IQR = 50.00–72.22). Food consumption was based on rice, beans, and bread; fruit and vegetable diversity was limited; coffee was consumed daily or weekly by 72.1%. No significant associations were found between BMI and any TFEQ‐21 domain (all p > 0.05). Nursing students showed a traditional Brazilian dietary profile with limited food diversity and frequent coffee consumption. No association between BMI and eating behavior domains was detected in this sample; given the small, unadjusted convenience sample, potentially meaningful associations cannot be excluded. Health promotion strategies addressing dietary diversity and eating behavior are recommended.