Santo Domingo — A recent study conducted by the Technological Institute of Santo Domingo (INTEC) reveals that seven out of ten university students in the Dominican Republic fail to meet the recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables. The research indicates that 73.2% of students do not consume the suggested two daily servings of fruit, and 70.6% also do not meet the recommended intake for vegetables.
The study assessed 663 students across five universities, including INTEC, the Pontifical Catholic University Madre y Maestra (PUCMM), the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD), the National University Pedro Henríquez Ureña (UNPHU), and the Technological University of Santiago (UTESA). Participants had a median age of 20 years, with 62.3% identifying as women and 37.7% as men.
Dr. Berniza Calderón, a research professor at INTEC, presented these findings as part of the Unisalud study, aiming to inform strategies for improving the dietary habits of university students. The study also identified concerning dietary patterns: 39.7% of respondents reported daily consumption of soft drinks or sugary beverages.
Additionally, 53.2% of participants consumed one or more servings of red or processed meat each day, while 50.8% reported eating products high in added sugars, such as ice cream, cookies, and cakes, more than twice a week. Moreover, 31.5% indicated they consumed margarine, butter, or cream regularly.
The research evaluated adherence to the Mediterranean diet, showing that only 3.8% of students exhibited high adherence to this healthier eating pattern, characterized by increased consumption of vegetables, fruits, and healthy fats. In comparison, 49.2% showed intermediate adherence, while 46.9% had the lowest adherence level.
Students also exhibited low consumption of foods typically associated with the Mediterranean diet: 77.9% consumed less than two tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil daily, and 72.2% reported eating fewer than three servings of nuts per week. Furthermore, 71% consumed less than three servings of fish or seafood weekly.
Calderón emphasized the importance of this research, noting that entering university often coincides with increased autonomy in food choices. This period, coupled with factors such as academic stress, may lead to unhealthy habits that persist into adulthood.
The study also included assessments of physical activity levels and body composition, finding higher skin carotenoid levels among men, students engaging in at least 150 minutes of physical activity weekly, and those who abstain from alcohol. In contrast, lower levels were noted among smokers and individuals with a higher body mass index (BMI).
In light of these findings, Calderón proposed the creation of a Virtual Classroom for Healthy Habits. This initiative, aimed at promoting sustained changes in diet and physical activity, would begin with a one-semester pilot followed by workshops focused on quick meal preparation, selecting healthy alternatives, and evaluating nutritional labels.
The plan also includes a mobile application designed for tracking habits, featuring a food log, physical activity tracking, and educational modules. Future phases aim to incorporate gamification elements and possibly an AI-driven virtual coach to provide personalized dietary recommendations.
