The Effect of Dietary Habits and Lifestyle on Gastrointestinal, Liver, and Kidney Clinical Status in University Hostel Students

Abstract

his study was conducted to investigate the effect of college hostels residents' life style and eating habits and their impact on liver, kidneys and gastro intestinal system (GIT), and to compare between girls and boys inside the hostels concerning the same parameters. The study started by giving several questionnaires to elicit their general complaints and detailed symptoms, after which anthropometric measures were taken then clinical examinations and laboratory investigations were carried out. The study tried to detect the most prevailing GIT, liver and kidneys diseases that affected students in university hostels. Recommendations to solve these complaints were presented. The study found that college students in the university hostels practiced unhealthy life style and food habits; 53% ate while watching TV, 8% of boys are cigarette smokers, the frequency of sports per week was as low as 1.2 times only, 70% of students preferred junk foods and 45% of students preferred fried foods. These habits affected the GIT negatively as the most prevalent general complaint was pain, food allergies and infestations. 81.7% of all students had troubles of GIT, 83.4 % of girls and 80% of boys. Students were then clinically examined and samples were drawn for laboratory tests. Clinical examination showed prevalence of GIT signs (72%).