Eating Behaviours of British University Students: A Cluster Analysis on a Neglected Issue

Tanton, Jina; Dodd, Lorna J.; Woodfield, Lorayne; Mabhala, Mzwandile A.

doi:10.1155/2015/639239

Cited by 75 publications

(95 citation statements)

References 51 publications

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“…The ‘snacking’ and ‘convenience, red meat and alcohol’ patterns have common features with published data on the food preferences of British university students [2, 4]. Existing studies allude to non-prudent consumption patterns, reporting low consumption of fruit and vegetables alongside high intakes of confectionery, alcohol, and fried, ready-made and convenience foods [2–4].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

“…Alcohol consumption has received most research attention revealing that binge drinking is endemic [2, 3]. There are also indications of high intakes of confectionery and fast foods, and low consumption of fruit and vegetables [3, 4]. Although there is some evidence that dietary behaviours track from adolescence to adulthood [5, 6], the transition from home to university life has been associated with unfavourable changes to food intake: increases in alcohol and sugar intake, and decreases in fruit and vegetable consumption have been reported [7].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Dietary studies of British university students are constrained by crude dietary assessment, small sample size and generally focus on a single university [3, 4]. Furthermore, their analytical approach has been on single foods and/or nutrients, which has allowed assessment of intake relative to dietary recommendations.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dietary patterns of university students in the UK: a cross-sectional study

Sprake

Russell

Cecil

et al. 2018

Nutr J

139

114

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BackgroundUniversity represents a key transition into adulthood for many adolescents but there are associated concerns about health and behaviours. One important aspect relates to diet and there is emerging evidence that university students may consume poor quality diets, with potential implications for body weight and long-term health. This research aimed to characterise dietary patterns of university students in the UK and their sociodemographic and lifestyle antecedents.MethodsAn online, cross-sectional survey was undertaken with a convenience sample of 1448 university students from five UK universities (King’s College London, Universities of St Andrews, Southampton and Sheffield, and Ulster University). The survey comprised a validated food frequency questionnaire alongside lifestyle and sociodemographic questions. Dietary patterns were generated from food frequency intake data using principal components analysis. Nutrient intakes were estimated to characterise the nutrient profile of each dietary pattern. Associations with sociodemographic variables were assessed through general linear modelling.ResultsDietary analyses revealed four major dietary patterns: ‘vegetarian’; ‘snacking’; ‘health-conscious’; and ‘convenience, red meat & alcohol’. The ‘health-conscious’ pattern had the most favourable micronutrient profile. Students’ gender, age, year of study, geographical location and cooking ability were associated with differences in pattern behaviour. Female students favoured the ‘vegetarian’ pattern, whilst male students preferred the ‘convenience, red meat & alcohol’ pattern. Less healthful dietary patterns were positively associated with lifestyle risk factors such as smoking, low physical activity and take-away consumption. The health-conscious pattern had greatest nutrient density. The ‘convenience, red meat & alcohol’ pattern was associated with higher weekly food spending; this pattern was also identified most consistently across universities. Students reporting greater cooking ability tended towards the ‘vegetarian’ and ‘health-conscious’ patterns.ConclusionsFood intake varied amongst university students. A substantial proportion of students followed health-promoting diets, which had good nutrient profiles obviating a need for dietary intervention. However, some students consumed poor diets, incurred greater food costs and practised unfavourable lifestyle behaviours, which may have long-term health effects. University policy to improve students’ diets should incorporate efforts to promote student engagement in cooking and food preparation, and increased availability of low cost healthier food items.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (10.1186/s12937-018-0398-y) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 97%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Dietary patterns of university students in the UK: a cross-sectional study

Sprake

Russell

Cecil

et al. 2018

Nutr J

139

114

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

“…Individuals may practice unhealthy changes in eating behavior during university time. These changes negatively influence their quality of lifestyle including eating habits (24,25) . Therefore, this study aimed at developing a web-based nutritional health education module that might improve healthy eating behaviors among university students.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Development of Web- Based Nutritional Health Education Module

Refaay¹,

Ahmed²,

Salem³

2017

IOSR JNHS

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“…of the total sample (n=345) reported to have healthy eating behaviours (Tanton et al, 2015). A possible reason for this low percentage might be insufficient knowledge which leads to improper choices.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Dietary habits, obesity and university life for nurse undergraduates

Theofanidis

Fountouki

2018

Paradigma: Rev. Investig. Educ.

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Health behavior of nursing students is often inadequate in terms of dietary, physical activity, smoking and alcohol drinking habits. The main aim of this position paper is to explore dietary habits, obesity and university life on nurse undergraduates. This critical review covers three distinct dimensions of student life as related to nursing studies, i.e. the eating and lifestyle behaviors of nursing students; the transitional period and risk of gain weight; students’ national origin and eating behaviors.Obesity is increasing not only in the western world but in developing countries as well. University life is a transitional period where risk of weight gain is increased. Often, stress may lead students to ‘binge’ eating and weight problems. In terms of students’ national origin and eating behavior, dietary choices for nurse students are multifaceted, as their cultural backgrounds may be. Nurses, amongst other healthcare professionals, encounter barriers to positive lifestyles and healthy eating just as many of their patients do. Moreover, as healthcare professionals are regarded as potential health promoters, their own health behavior represents an important key clinical and educational function.Yet, nutritional knowledge is not easy to apply as there is so much misinformation readily available both online and elsewhere.Given the highly stressful conditions associated with their profession, nurses also need to care for their own health. Thus there is a need for designing educational programs for current nursing curricula to encourage healthy lifestyles which include coping with stress, increased physical activity, healthy food and drink choices.

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Eating Behaviours of British University Students: A Cluster Analysis on a Neglected Issue

Cited by 75 publications

References 51 publications

Dietary patterns of university students in the UK: a cross-sectional study

Dietary patterns of university students in the UK: a cross-sectional study

Development of Web- Based Nutritional Health Education Module

Dietary habits, obesity and university life for nurse undergraduates

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