Keywords
Regulatory foods
Health education
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Abstract
Objective: To evaluate the knowledge of Biological Sciences undergraduate students at UFPE regarding regulatory foods and oral health, identifying whether these contents are incorporated into their academic training. Methods: This was a descriptive study with quantitative and qualitative approaches, conducted between August 2024 and August 2025 with a sample of 45 Biological Sciences undergraduate students from UFPE. Data collection was performed through questionnaires, followed by analysis and discussion of the results. Results: Participants were predominantly young (18-25 years old), female, and brown-skinned (pardo). An unbalanced dietary profile was identified, with low consumption of fruits and vegetables compared to a high intake of sweets and sodas, in addition to gaps in knowledge about nutrients. Regarding oral health, although they recognized cariogenic foods, the students demonstrated inaccuracies concerning bacterial plaque and prevention. Nevertheless, there was total consensus on the relevance of oral health in the school environment and its relationship with general health. Conclusion: The undergraduate students possess basic theoretical knowledge about nutrition and oral health but do not apply these practices in their daily lives, highlighting the need for greater inclusion of these topics in teacher training to strengthen their role as health promotion agents.
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