Psychosocial factors affecting dietary habits of university students: A cross-sectional study

Heliyon

Mona Hashim¹  Rameez Al Daour²  Shaikha Binkhadim³  Tareq M. Osaili⁴  Nouf Sultan Alzaabi⁵  Maysm N. Mohamad⁶  Hanoof Alrayis⁷  Leila Cheikh Ismail⁷  Amjad H. Jarrar⁷  Ayesha S. Al Dhaheri⁷  Lily Stojanovska⁷  Hayder Hasan⁷  Lojain Elbarag⁸  Dalal Nader⁸ 

[1] Corresponding author.;Department of Nutrition and Food Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Jordan University of Science and Technology, Irbid 22110, Jordan;Institute for Health and Sport, Victoria University, Melbourne 14428, Australia;;Nuffield Department of Women's &Nutrition and Dietetics Program, School of Health Sciences, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kubang Kerian 16150, Kelantan, Malaysia;Reproductive Health, University of Oxford, Oxford OX1 2JD UK;Department of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah 27272, United Arab Emirates;Department of Nutrition and Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, United Arab Emirates University, Al Ain 15551, United Arab Emirates;

关键词: Body mass index;    Eating habits;    University students;    Psychosocial factors;   

DOI  :  

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background: University student transition from living at home to more independent living which might influence their eating habits. This study aims to assess the effect of psychosocial factors on eating habits among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 529 students at the University of Sharjah. Participants completed a self-administered questionnaire on dietary habits, social, and psychological factors. The height and weight were also measured. Results: More than one-third of participants were classified as overweight or obese (37.6%) and 39.1% reported not engaging in regular physical activity. Less than half of the participants consumed breakfast daily (45.4%) and 83.2% consumed less than two liters of water per day. Only 28.7% and 34.0% of participants consumed fruits and vegetables daily, respectively. Almost 80% of participants reported eating when they were bored, 83.7% ate when feeling happy, and 56.5% ate when they were sad. Eating habits score was significantly lower among unmarried participants (p = 0.03), those not living with their family (p < 0.001), smokers (p = 0.001), those not engaging in regular physical activity (p < 0.001), and those who reported eating uncontrollably (p = 0.007). Conclusions: Psychosocial factors were important indicators of dietary habits among students. Implementing nutrition education campaigns and health-related courses at the university are recommended.

【 授权许可】

Unknown