Assessing the Impact of Religion and College Life on Consumption Patterns of Ultra-Processed Foods by Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study

(1) Background: University students, often constrained by time and influenced by socio-economic factors such as culture and religion, frequently adopt diets centred on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), increasing the risk of long-term non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess UPF consumption...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nutrients 2024-05, Vol.16 (11), p.1619
Main Authors: Navarro-Prado, Silvia, Schmidt-RioValle, Jacqueline, Fernández-Aparicio, Ángel, Montero-Alonso, Miguel Ángel, Perona, Javier S, González-Jiménez, Emilio
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Adolescent
Adult
Analysis
Bakers and bakeries
Beverages
Candy
Cardiovascular disease
Christian Islamic relations
College campuses
Confectionery
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diet
Diet - statistics & numerical data
Disease prevention
Fast food
Fast Foods - statistics & numerical data
Feeding Behavior
Female
Food habits
Food, Processed
Health care
Humans
Inclusion
Influence
Informed consent
Islam
Lifestyles
Male
Meat
Medical research
Medicine, Experimental
Meetings
Metabolism
Processed foods
Religion
Spain
Students - psychology
Students - statistics & numerical data
Teenagers
Universities
University students
Young Adult
Young adults
Youth
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Summary:(1) Background: University students, often constrained by time and influenced by socio-economic factors such as culture and religion, frequently adopt diets centred on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), increasing the risk of long-term non-communicable diseases. This study aimed to assess UPF consumption among Spanish university students and explore the potential impact of religion and the academic year on their eating habits. (2) Methods: In a cross-sectional study of 257 university students aged 18-31, UPF consumption was assessed using NOVA food classification at the academic year's start and end. Chi-square and Wilcoxon tests analysed UPF consumption changes, while binary logistic regression identified associations between religion and weekly UPF consumption. (3) Results: Muslim students had a consumption of industrial bakery products almost five times [95% CI: 2.694-9.259] higher than that observed among Christians. Similar data were observed for artificial juice consumption (OR = 3.897, 95% CI = 2.291-6.627) and candy consumption (OR = 3.724, 95% CI = 2.051-6.762). Moreover, a greater percentage of calories and grams of saturated fats from UPFs was observed for Muslims at the end of the study. (4) Conclusions: Highlighting the impact of religion on UPF consumption among students underscores the necessity of monitoring and intervening in dietary habits to prevent undesirable long-term complications such as cardiovascular diseases.
ISSN:2072-6643
2072-6643
DOI:10.3390/nu16111619