Las legumbres en la dieta de la comunidad universitaria de la Universidad de Carabobo, Venezuela

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) considers legumes as a fundamental part of sustainable development and food security. They are foods rich in carbohydrates, proteins, vitamins, fibers, and bioactive compounds beneficial to health. In Venezuela they are part of the cultural and gastronomic identity of the nation. However, food consumption patterns have changed in recent decades. For this reason, it was of interest to characterize aspects related to the consumption of legumes in the community linked to the University of Carabobo (UC). To this end, a descriptive and cross-sectional investigation was developed through a survey designed by the researchers and validated by experts. It was structured with 20 questions related to sociodemographic aspects and eating habits. The sample was non-probabilistic, made up of people from the university community who participated voluntarily. It was applied online during June and July 2024 period, and the data was collected and tabulated for analysis. A total of 125 people participated, the majority female (76%), with an average age of 38.3 years, residing mainly in Aragua (68%). It was found that 97.6% stated that they consumed legumes, with frequencies between 1 to 3 times a month (40%) and once a week (36%). The most consumed legume was beans (64%). Respondents also reported eating meat and other foods of animal origin with a frequency between 2 to 4 times a week (54%). These results can be considered part of an initial diagnosis of the consumption patterns of the university community and it would be recommended to delve deeper into this type of study, to verify if the diet provides the necessary nutrients for the development of cognitive skills and work activities.