Nutrient and energy intake of modern university students

Abstract

Aim. To study the nutrient and energy intake of modern university students. Materials and methods. 244 students aged 18–23 enrolled in specialist degree programmes were surveyed using a 24-hour dietary recall method adapted for online Google form surveying. The food intake was analysed based on the following aspects: meal frequency, intervals between meals and energy intake.Results. According to the obtained results, 38.93 ± 3.12% of the respondents follow a 3–4 meal-a-day diet, with 3 main meals (breakfast, lunch and dinner) adhered by 71.31 ± 2.9% of students. In comparison with male respondents, female students were found to be more likely to keep main meals (74.87 ± 3.17% versus 59.65 ± 6.50%, χ2 = 4.94, p = 0.027). Additional meals (second breakfast, afternoon tea, overnight snack) were observed in 64.75 ± 3.06% of the students, with this share being significantly larger among male students (78.95 ± 5.40% versus 60.43 ± 3.58%, χ2 = 6.56, p = 0.011). About 68.44 ± 2.98% of the respondents reported long intervals between meals, which was found to be more typical of female students (71.66 ± 3.30% versus 56.14 ± 6.57%, χ2 = 4.84, p = 0.028). The energy intake of young people was established to correspond to the recommended norm in 27.40 ± 3.69% of cases.Conclusions. The findings emphasize the importance of developing healthy eating habits in modern students, which can contribute to improving their health and increasing their educational performance.