Objective To identify the association between dietary patterns and nutritional status in adolescent freshmen at a public university in Northeastern Brazil. Methods In this cross-sectional study anthropometric variables, body composition and food intake were collected and assessed using the food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were evaluated through factor analysis using the principal component extraction method. Results Two dietary patterns were identified: “Western” pattern, consisting of foods with high energy density and low nutritional value, and the “traditional Brazilian” pattern, with foods from Brazilian cuisine such as rice, beans, corn, roots and tubers, fruits, greens and vegetables. The multiple regression analysis revealed a negative association between the “traditional Brazilian” pattern and both excess weight and body fat in females. Conclusion A healthy dietary pattern with typical local cuisine foods can offer protection to health and should be encouraged.