Factors influencing eating behavior of Benghazi University students

Abstract

Background: University students are more exposed to new individual and environmental influences. This transition period is considered as a risky life phase because it’s characterized by changing in physical and social status as well as changing in the lifestyle that will affect the eating behavior of students.
 Aims and Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the factors influencing the eating behaviors of Benghazi University students.
 Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken for a period from January to May 2019 in Benghazi University. Samples of 300 students were requested to fill out a questionnaire. SPSS was used to analyze the data.
 Results: After starting university, (64%) of students stated that they had a change in eating behavior and (59%) of participants reported unhealthy eating pattern. About (67%) of students had a sedentary lifestyle with the majority of them were having unhealthy eating patterns (P value = 0.000). According to the BMI the majority of students had normal weight (62.6%). About (80%) of student reported that the lack of time to prepare a healthy meal during study period was effective and More than half of the students reported that inaccessibility of healthy food, student’s positive emotions, poor knowledge of healthy food, and stress associated with exams period were effective. There was a statistical difference between student’s eating patterns and poor knowledge, lack of time, stress, body weight concerns, negative emotions, peer pressure, lack of parental control, mass media and social life (P value < 0.05).
 Conclusion: This study concluded that the majority of students undergo a negative shift in their eating and lifestyle after starting university, and there is statistical difference between many factors and student’s eating pattern.

Factors Associated with Diet Quality during COVID-19 Pandemic among Undergraduate Students in Universiti Putra Malaysia

“…Furthermore, based on the present findings, the anxiety subscale was negatively correlated with diet quality (r= -0.20, p<0.05) and aligned with previous studies, whereby, students with negative emotions were more likely to have poor diet (14,50). Despite the insufficient studies on the association between mental health status with diet quality during the pandemic especially among university students, most studies did show social isolation, loneliness, boredom, anxiety, and depression could lead to emotional eating and search for comfort food (9,12,48).…”

“…Although the current findings showed the majority of BMI status was normal during the pandemic of COVID-19 which was consistent with several studies (9,13,31), there were quite concerning numbers of respondents who were underweight and overweight/ obese. Besides genetics, insufficient nutrient intake and diseases, the increasing prevalence of underweight among female university students (14,34) could be due to media and culture which advertise thinness as part of beauty standards (41). The overabundance of less healthy foods, cheap, and less encouragement for healthy eating could also influence the purchasing of low-diet quality foods and induced weight gain (42)(43).…”

“…The changes in dietary behaviour during the pandemic could be due to insufficient knowledge of nutrition or inaccessibility to healthy food. Based on the study conducted among university students, the populations tend to deviate from healthy eating due to a lack of knowledge on healthy eating, pricey, and inaccessibility of healthy food (14). However, there was insufficient information on the correlation between knowledge and diet quality.…”

Dietary Habits among Medical Science Students in Duhok City

“…A well-balanced diet should include a variety of raw and fresh meals, plenty of fruits, vegetables, as well as vitamin-and mineral-dense foods and beverages. A healthy lifestyle also includes regular physical activity and dietary choices suitable for both physical and mental wellbeing [1,2,3]. For various causes and obstacles, university populations are particularly vulnerable in terms of their dietary habits [4].…”

“…For various causes and obstacles, university populations are particularly vulnerable in terms of their dietary habits [4]. A variety of factors, such as a new environment, study stress, a lack of adequate time management and hectic class schedules, and the cost of healthy food, can all contribute to a lack of interest in their well-being [3,4]. Most students engage in unhealthy eating and lifestyle habits throughout this stage of their lives, including meal skipping, snacking, fast-food intake, smoking, and excessive internet usage [5].…”