Abstract
Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) has represented one of the main global public health concerns due to its high prevalence and its association with modifiable lifestyle factors. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between atherogenic dietary habits and the predisposition to develop T2DM among medical students at a public university in Ecuador. A structured questionnaire was administered to 130 students, addressing sociodemographic variables, family medical history, diet, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and interpretation of absolute and relative frequencies. A predominance of female participants (68%) was identified, along with a mixed dietary profile characterized by low regular intake of fruits, vegetables, and legumes, and frequent consumption of ultra-processed foods, saturated fats, and simple sugars. Moreover, over 45% of students reported a family history of chronic diseases, and approximately 46% perceived themselves as overweight or obese. About 31% reported low levels of weekly physical activity, and 63% did not habitually read food nutrition labels. The assessment of metabolic risk using an adapted scale showed that 95.4% of participants had a moderate risk, and 3.9% a high risk of developing T2DM. These findings revealed concerning patterns even within a population with academic training in health sciences, underscoring the need for institutional strategies to promote self-care from early stages of medical education.