Cambios en el patrón dietético mediterráneo de estudiantes universitarios: un estudio comparativo entre España y Argelia

Aim: Assess and compare the diet quality of university students living in two different Mediterranean countries (Algeria and Spain). Methods: 303 university students from two different Mediterranean areas (Algeria and Spain) were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. The data collection of students’ diet and other personal variables was based on a self-reported method; a nutritional evaluation was carried out using the DIAL® nutritional software. Results: There were found significant differences in the diets, not only because of gender but also nationality, probably due to inherent cultural and socioeconomic characteristics of each country resulting in variants of Mediterranean diet. Conclusions: Nutrition education programs based on the promotion of Mediterranean lifestyle must be aimed at all ages, but especially in university stage.