Determination of ultra processed food consumption and body mass index values of Kahramanmaraş sütçü İmam University students

This study was conducted to investigate the ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption and Body Mass Index (BMI) of Kahramanmaraş Sütçü İmam University students. A total of 195 students (40.5% male, 59.5% female) participated to the study. The BMI of male and female students is 23.32 kg/m² and 22.12 kg/m², respectively. 5.6% of the students eat one main meal, 49.3% two main meals and 45,1% three meals. Students' energy, fiber, vitamin E, B1, folate, vitamin C, K, Ca, Mg and Fe intakes fail to meet their needs. In addition; protein, B6, biotin, pantothenic acid and B12 consumptions of female students are also insufficient. 19% of the students daily consume chocolate wafers, 13,8% packaged bakery foods, 10,3% carbonated drinks, 9,8% chocolate and hazelnut spreads, 8,7% drinks with added sugar. While the rate of students consuming chocolate wafer 3-5 times a week is 25,6%, this rate is 19% for chips and drinks with added sugar (juices, cold teas). While the rate of those who prefer carbonated drinks and drinks with added sugar 1-2 times a week is 23,6%, the rate of those who consume chocolate and wafers is 30,8%. 66,7% of the students do not consume energy drinks. Energy from UPFs accounts for 18.3% of the total energy. 21,9% of daily consumed sugar, 7,3% of sodium, 21,3% of saturated fat and 8,05% of cholesterol come from UPFs. No significant relationship was found between BMI and UPF consumption (p>0.05). The awareness of students on the effects of inadequate and unbalanced nutrition, as well as the effects of UPF consumption on health should be raised.