Dietary habits and awareness of healthy eating among students of different types of higher education courses based on questionnaire survey

Abstract

Introduction. The period of higher education, between 19 and 25 years of age, is often connected with the change of dietary habits of a young person. “Student lifestyle” can lead to systemic diseases, including lesions and diseases of the oral cavity. Aim of the study. To perform analysis of dietary habits and awareness of healthy eating among students. Materials and methods. A total of 328 respondents took part in the survey, including 287 women and 41 men. The study was based on a 50-question questionnaire. The questionnaire provided the sociodemographic information as well as changes in students’ dietary habits during the course of their education, the quality, frequency and type of consumed meals and the regularity and duration of their consumption. Results. 75.6% of respondents reported that they had changed their diet during studies. 18.6% of students increased the frequency of meals and 48.2% decreased the frequency of meals. Both men and women most often consumed 3-4 meals a day. It was noticed that the respondents regularly had breakfast, dinner, and lunch, with up to 25.6% of students claiming to have the biggest meal late in the evening and at night. 70.9% of students reported breaks between their meals lasting longer than three hours. It was noticed that 38.8% had the last meal later than two hours before bedtime. Frequent snacking between meals was declared by 39.6%. Conclusions. During the university studies, students change their dietary habits. Students are aware of the principles of proper nutrition, but it is not reflected in their lifestyle.