Student life during high education can cause problems in students' nutrition. This
dissertation analyzed the perceptions about food safety and healthy eating for
undergraduate students at the Federal University of Western Pará (Ufopa), as well as
their eating habits. Specifically, it was aimed to trace the state of the art on food
security and university students in Brazil; to analyze how Environmental Education
can contribute to the process of healthy eating, aiming to point out the reflexes of the
food production process; to describe the socioeconomic profile and eating habits of
undergraduate students at Ufopa; and to analyze their perceptions regarding food
security and healthy eating. The work was divided into three parts: a) systematic
review of the literature on food safety and university students; b) review on
Environmental Education and Healthy Eating; and c) a case study with the
participation of 73 undergraduate students at Ufopa. The results show a lack of
approaches related to public policies aimed at university students; predominance of
students in the health area as the most studied subjects and Environmental
Education was perceived as an instrument to sensitize people to an ecological spirit,
being important in the attempt to minimize the negative impacts resulting from food
production. Food security and healthy eating in the students' perception are related to
the consumption of foods that are good for health, that are rich in nutrients, proteins
and vitamins; that do not harm health and meet human needs. Ufopa can promote
healthy eating and contribute to the food security of its main audience, the students,
through planned and coordinated actions. These results can contribute to the
discussion for the implementation of public and institutional policies of Ufopa, which
allow actions in favor of food security for university students.
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