Chapter No.

Dieting beliefs among Males and Females University Students

Introduction

Eating

is

of

interest

to

everyone

as

we

all

consume

food.

Most

problems associated with eating are those of over consumption of food Factors influencing biological, explanations in the our choices and the of food can be categorized under

cultural include the (the

psychological theory

explanations. (looks of at body and is levels

Biological of and sugar the by

glucostatic

blood), theory

lipostatic body in has the

theory a

(levels

fat)

set-point

target brain).

weight Cultural

maintained

homeostatic

mechanisms

explanations

suggest

upbringing and the media determine what we eat, whereas psychological explanations suggest food intake depends on how sensitive we are to

food cues in the environment.

It appears females students are more concerned with weight and food consumption. Socialization and females. leads to different over attitudes towards the body in has males more

Being

weight/

physically

unattractive

negative factors for women than men .Women are expected to deny themselves

of

food

to

remain

slim/sexually

attractive.

One

biological

explanation

to why women are more concerned with diet is as follow: During our food adolescent intake. When growth boys have spurts, completed we their growth increase spurt they

continue to increase muscle mass and can maintain increased levels of eating. Females however don't need to continue eating and can become obese if this increased level of eating isn't controlled. This

suggests dieting is more important to young women, suggesting women will take more care over what they eat.

As a result of the changing stereotypes of the ideal female body, the message given to controlling weight has strengthened through the media It has been found that women are more likely to compare themselves with models and make comparisons of appearance with the concern with slimness in society.

Further, a recent Gallup Poll discovered 50% of teenage girls would like to lose weight, with 52% of boys saying their weight was ok .It has been observed that the concern with over weight was common in many teenage girls

and that this is what leads them to dieting.

In addition it is also found that in young adults, weight control was more of an issue to women than men. Another study has shown that a good diet is more common in females and exercise and diet are strongly correlated in

females. When it was asked people to identify their ideal body and current body shape on a scale, results showed women are less satisfied with their body shape than males.

All of the above studies suggest females will eat healthier as they're least satisfied with their body images and weight. As the sample in this observation is students it's possible to consider students and their diets. For example described the college dining hall as the ideal place to see over eating / poor eating habits, and that many students (especially females) feel pressured to be slender and eat little.

As far as male students are concerned the problem for men tends to be fat accumulating around their abdomen, making them "apple shaped". This is known to increase the risk of weight-related diseases, especially coronary heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. A waist measurement of over 37 inches indicates a slight health risk, whilst over 40 inches indicates a substantially increased risk.

Moreover, most men don't like the idea of dieting, perhaps because it seems too much of a girl thing. And, in fact, men shouldn't follow a diet designed for females - men need more calories and are more likely to be successful if they eat "proper" meals they feel satisfied with.

The best diet strategy for males students is the non-diet strategy. As small and subtle changes to their eating, drinking and exercise habits will not embarrass you in front of

friends and colleagues. The emphasis should be on health, fitness and looking after yourself. For example, if you take something as simple as a smoothie, men prefer the green smoothie as it is made with vegetable rather than fruit. A healthy diet can be easily achieved with the tools and databases in Weight Loss Resources. It works out how many calories you need, and enables you to see where you could make adjustments that suit your tastes and lifestyle. Undoubtedly the socio cultural emphasis on thinness in women forms an important background for individual weight loss attempts, it doe snot explain why some women diet and have body image concerns, whereas others of the same weight and shape do not. To explain individual reactions to general social value s, it seems necessary to explore more immediate sub cultural influences such as those within the family. It is likely that parents are instrumental in reinforcing societal messages and passing them to their children.

Indeed, the vast universe of dieting has been a kind of private (and grim) clubhouse for women. A realm of Jenny Craig and egg whites, Weight Watchers and fat-free yogurt, it's historically been glimpsed by men only from across the dinner table. But increasingly, the unfairer sex is beginning to find a corner in that realm all its own. Men are becoming more conscious of health, and with that, weight," says Betsy Klein, a registered dietician in Miami. "Being overweight is becoming such a marker for diabetes and heart disease. Of course the health risks of a bad diet are just part of men's motivation for changing how they eat -- we also care about how we look.

Also Males of all ages are being affected by our highly body-conscious culture now," says registered dietician and exercise physiologist Samantha Heller. "Body dysmorphia -an unhealthy view of the body -- is also increasing in men as well as women. In fact males students are drawn to diets that promise to make them better at sports or to increase their energy. The supplement market is geared toward men who want more mass and less fat. Problem is those protein shakes don't do anything. We get plenty of protein. Exercise is all that will build muscle. There's no way around that. Indeed, men don't always know what they're doing in the diet department. And to be fair, there are simpler departments to navigate. Men will order a piece of grilled fish and think they're being healthy. If we talk of students, when students first enter university, their diets often deteriorate and they often gain weight. There are many factors responsible for these changes. However, there are also several actions that can be taken to avoid the weight gain and decline in diet quality that may occur during the university years. The term "freshman 15" refers to the number of pounds many students gain during their first year in college. This weight gain is related to stress , a sedentary lifestyle, and changes in food intake and diet patterns, and it is not unique to university students. Meals are often skipped by university students, and management of weight and food intake is often nonexistent or disordered. Class and work schedules change daily, as well as every semester. However, structured eating patterns help students' academic performance.

A study by Mickey Trockel, Michael Barnes, and Dennis Eggett, for example, found a positive relationship between eating breakfast and first-year university students' gradepoint averages. Lifestyle changes, peer pressure, limited finances, and access to food also contribute to erratic eating patterns. College students have little variety in their diet and often turn to high-fat snacks. A common error is underestimating serving sizes, meaning they often eat more than they think they are eating. As far as food and nutrient Intakes of University Students is concerned one of the three nutrients that provide calories (carbohydrates, proteins, and fats), carbohydrate (particularly sugar) and fat intake often exceeds recommended levels. University students also tend to have a low intake of dietary fiber

More over, Irregular class schedules, part-time jobs, and variable homework loads can disrupt normal eating patterns among college students, leading to unhealthy habits that may be hard to break. Despite these difficulties, it is important for students to find time for nutritious and varied foods. which is important for intestinal health. In terms of vitamins, a low vitamin C status has been associated with college students' low intake of fruits and vegetables (with levels of vitamin C being even lower among smokers). In terms of minerals, calcium, iron, and zinc intake are low, while sodium intake is generally higher than recommended.

In addition, Male university students are more likely to meet dietary intake recommendations for the meat, poultry, fish, dry beans, and nuts group; from the bread, cereal, rice, and pasta group; and from the vegetable food group than are females. Males seem to consume more food overall and thus have a higher energy (calorie) intake. Unlikely ,Female college students tend to eat too few breads, grains, and dairy products. In addition, it is estimated that about 10 percent of college students drink more than fifteen alcoholic beverages per week, further impairing the quality of their diet. Eating disorders such as anorexia and bulimia are more prevalent among college females than among the general population. This is related to body image dissatisfaction females that are underweight, as measured by their body mass index (BMI), sometimes consider themselves to be overweight. The incidence of anorexia and bulimia may increase when there is excessive preoccupation with weight, academic achievement, body image, and eating, as well as during stressful periods, such as final exams. The prevalence of disordered eating is especially high among female athletes. College athletes may manipulate diet and fluid intake, putting their health at risk. They may also jeopardize their health by taking dangerous or excessive amounts of supplements as a result of misinformation, or of pressure from coaches or peers. Athletes may feel pressured to restrict their food intake if they are on an athletic scholarship or competing in weight-classification sports such as wrestling. Female athletes may be underweight or have an extremely low amount of body fat. The female athlete triad (disordered eating, amenorrhea , and osteoporosis ) is estimated to occur in 15 to 62 percent of female college athletes.

Women nibble at food while men gulp it down in two bites -- right? This might be a stereotypical belief about how men and women behave differently, but some true differences exist in eating habits between the sexes. Men and women make different food choices, eat more or less frequently, and do so for different reasons. Whether you are male or female, certain factors influence eating habits regardless. Your cultural upbringing is one. Some cultures view eating as a major social activity or eat specific foods. Socioeconomic status is another important influence for eating. Families with less money might have smaller meals, downplay eating or eat smaller meals more frequently. Whether or not you have food allergies or medical conditions also influences food choices. Level of education is another determinant in the types of food eaten. To summarize there are some considerable gender-specific differences in many areas of nutrition. Several of them already emerge in childhood or adolescence. Women have a higher awareness and better knowledge of nutrition than men. They also seek nutrition counseling more frequently than men do. Women eat more fruits, vegetables, cereals, milk, dairy products and whole grain products, whereas the consumption of red meat, particularly pork, sausages, eggs, alcohol, high sucrose foods is higher in men. Genderspecific differences are also obvious as far as nutrient intake and recommendations for the dietary allowances are concerned.

Men's approach towards nutrition is uncomplicated and pleasure orientated whereas women rather have an ambivalent attitude. They are less satisfied with their weight. Restrained eating, dieting and eating disorders are much more common in women. Men,

however, control their weight with exercising and implement diets only for health reasons. Women are more often affected by problems with their eating behaviour, such as craving for special foods that men are.

The reasons for the different eating behaviors and the different attitudes towards nutrition can be found in psychological and socio-cultural factors. Prevalence of obesity is similar between the sexes, men are however more frequently overweight.

Journal of Youth and Adolescence Volume 20, Number 3, 361-379, DOI: 10.1007/BF01537402

Body image and weight loss beliefs and behaviors were assessed in 341 female and 221 male high school students. Estimates of body dissatisfaction varied depending on the measurement strategy used. Despite having similar weight distributions around the expected norm, girls were significantly more dissatisfied with their bodies than boys. Body Mass Index was positively related to body dissatisfaction in girls and boys, while higher exercise levels were related to higher body satisfaction in boys. Nearly two-thirds of girls and boys believed being thinner would have an impact on their lives, but the majority of girls believed this would be positive while the majority of boys believed this would be negative. Thirteen percent of female subjects reported using one or more extreme weight loss behavior at least weekly. Beliefs regarding the effectiveness of different weight loss measures were assessed.

Abnormal eating behaviors in adolescent and young adult women from southern Brazil: Reassessment after four years
Maria Anglica Nunes, Maria Teresa A. Olinto, Suzi Camey, Christina Morgan and Jair de Jesus Mari

Objective
To investigate whether abnormal eating behaviors in young women could predict eating disorders after 4 years.

Method
56 women were identified as presenting abnormal eating behaviors in a cross-sectional study (Eating Attitudes Test-26 and Edinburgh Bulimic Investigation Test). They were matched for age and neighborhood to two controls (n = 112). Four years later, they were re-assessed with the two screening questionnaires plus the Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI 2.1).

Results
Women with abnormal eating behaviors at baseline showed a high probability of presenting abnormal eating behaviors but it was not associated with eating disorders 4 years later. They were also at higher risk for obsessivecompulsive disorder, posttraumatic stress disorder, and specific phobia.

Discussion

Factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in Japan
M. Makino, M. Hashizume, M. Yasushi, K. Tsuboi and L. Dennerstein

Objectives: To determine the prevalence rates of abnormal eating attitudes and associated risk factors among female Japanese college students. Subjects and methods: The study population was 7812 female college students in Tokyo. They were asked to fill out the Japanese version of EAT-26 and lifestyle questionnaires. Results: 5.1% of the subjects had a total EAT-26 score above the cutoff point (>20). Multiple regression analysis found the most important factors associated with abnormal eating attitudes were distorted body image, fewer sleeping hours, irregular meal habits, cigarette smoking and more exercise. Discussion: The prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes among female college students in this study was lower than that of Japanese female high school students and lower than that reported for college students of both western and non-western countries. Our results suggest that body image dissatisfaction may be the most important factor associated with abnormal eating behavior.

Received Ph.D. from University of Tasmania. Main research interest in body image, weight loss behaviors, and eating disorders. Received Ph.D. from University of Connecticut. Main research interest in body image, eating disorders and weight loss behaviors. Dietitian degree from Melbourne University, Melbourne. Main research interest in eating practices and clinical outcome. M.D. from University of Melbourne, D.P.M. from U.K. FRC Psych. Main research interests in eating disorders. B.B.Sc.(Hons.) received from La Trobe University, Melbourne, B.A. received from University of Minnesota, Duluth. Main research interest in attitudes and attributions. B.A. Received from University of Minnesota, Duluth. Main research interest in adolescence and eating disorders.

Risk factors for eating disorders in adolescents A Spanish community-based longitudinal study
Luis Beato-Fernndez, Teresa Rodrguez-Cano, Antonia Belmonte-Llario and Cristbal MartnezDelgado

Abstract

Objective:
The aim of this study was to identify psychopathological, social and family variables that, measured at the age of 13, might predict the development of eating disorders 2 years later, using a standardized interview and controlling the effect of initially abnormal eating behavior.

Method:
At age 13 and 15, 1076 adolescents completed questionnaires for the screening of psychiatric morbidity, abnormal eating attitudes and family dysfunction. Probable cases of eating disorders [159] and 150 controls were assessed with standardized interviews (SCAN).

Results:
Controlling the effect of previous eating psychopathology, pathological body dissatisfaction, measured with the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), and a negative perception of parental attitudes were predictors of eating disorders 2 years later. Selfesteem was a protective factor for body dissatisfaction.

Conclusions:
Preventive actions should focus on self-esteem as a protective factor for body dissatisfaction, a strong predictor for eating disorders. The significance of family perception should be explored more in detail in future research

Gender differences in health habits and in motivation for a healthy lifestyle among Swedish university students
1. Margareta I. K. Von Bothmer assistant professor, phd, mscn, rnt1,2,*, 2. Bengt Fridlund professor, phd, rnt1,2 The aim of the present study was to investigate gender differences in students health habits and motivation for a healthy lifestyle. The sample of students comprised a probability systematic stratified sample from each department at a small university in the south-west of Sweden (n = 479). A questionnaire created for this study was used for data collection. Self-rated health was measured by number of health complaints, where good health was defined as having less than three health complaints during the last month. A healthy lifestyle index was computed on habits related to smoking, alcohol consumption, food habits, physical activity and stress. Female students had healthier habits related to alcohol consumption and nutrition but were more stressed. Male students showed a high level of overweight and obesity and were less interested in nutrition advice and health enhancing activities. The gender differences are discussed in relation to the impact of stress on female students health, and the risk for male students in having unhealthy nutritional habits in combination with being physically inactive and drinking too much alcohol

A Comparison Study of United States and African Students on Perceptions of Obesity and Thinness
1. 1. 1. 1.
Jeanine C. Cogan 1. University of California at Davis Satish K. Bhalla 1. Nova Southeastern University, Miami Araba Sefa-Dedeh 1. University of Ghana Medical School Esther D. Rothblum 1. University of Vermont

There is a negative correlation between body weight and income in the United States, and epidemic numbers of people diet to become thin. In developing nations, on the other hand, there is a positive correlation between weight and income, and fatness is associated with wealth and abundance. Although these differing cross-cultural trends have been documented by anthropologists, there has been minimal cross-cultural research on attitudes toward obesity and thinness and corresponding dieting behaviors in the psychological literature. A sample of 349 students at a university in Ghana and 219 students at a U.S. university completed questionnaires about their weight, frequency of dieting and restrained eating, the degree to which their weight has interfered with social activities, their perceptions of ideal bodies, disordered eating, and stereotypes of thin and heavy people. Students in Ghana more often rated larger body sizes as ideal for both males and females and also assumed that these larger sizes were held as ideals in society, than did U.S. students. U.S. students (regardless of weight) were more likely to have dieted than were Ghanaian students, with U.S. females being most likely to diet. Additionally, U.S. females scored significantly higher on restraint, eating-disordered behavior, and experiencing weight as social interference. Findings illustrate that perceptions of ideal body size and corresponding behaviors are influenced by culture and gender.

Internalization of Western standards of appearance, body dissatisfaction and dieting in urban educated Ukrainian females
1. Oleg O. Bilukha, 2. Virginia Utermohlen

3.Abstract
4. To examine body image, internalization of the thin ideal, and dieting practices in a female population in Ukraine, a country of the former Soviet Union, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of 616 females aged 1860 years in Lviv, Ukraine. A quarter of underweight (BMI<20) and three-fifths of normal-weight (BMI 2025) subjects desired a thinner figure; 31 per cent (38 per cent of those aged 25 years and under) reported dieting in the previous 6 months. Internalization of the Western thin ideal was correlated with exposure to Western media. Younger women, overweight women, and those who desired a thinner figure as depicted in Western media were at higher risk of dieting. Dieters differed from non-dieters mainly with respect to consumption and perceptions of fats and certain starches (white bread, pasta, potatoes). This study provides an insight into predictors of food choice, and has implications for developing nutrition policy in Ukraine, and other neighbouring post-communist countries. Copyright 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association

Eating habits and obesity among Lebanese university students

Najat Yahia , Alice Achkar , Abbass Abdallah and Sandra Rizk
1 2 2 2

Background
In the past year Lebanon has been experiencing a nutritional transition in food choices from the typical Mediterranean diet to the fast food pattern. As a consequence, the dietary habits of young adults have been affected; thus, overweight and obesity are increasingly being observed among the young. The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity on a sample of students from the Lebanese American University (in Beirut) and to examine their eating habits.

Methods
A cross-sectional survey of 220 students (43.6% male and 56.4% female), aged 20 1.9 years, were chosen randomly from the Lebanese American University (LAU) campus during the fall 2006 semester. Students were asked to fill out a self-reported questionnaire that included questions on their eating, drinking and smoking habits. Also, their weight, height, percentage body fat and body mass index were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess students' weight status. Statistical analyses were performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences software (version 13.0) to determine overweight and obesity among students and to categorize eating habits.

Results
This study showed that the majority of the students (64.7%) were of normal weight (49% male students compared to 76.8% female students). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was more common among male students compared to females (37.5% and 12.5% vs. 13.6% and 3.2%, respectively). In contrast, 6.4% female students were underweight as compared to 1% males. Eating habits of the students showed that the majority (61.4%) reported taking meals regularly. Female students showed healthier eating habits compared to male students in terms of daily breakfast intake and meal frequency. 53.3% of female students reported eating breakfast daily or three to four times per week compared to 52.1% of male students. There was a significant gender difference in the frequency of meal intake (P = 0.001). Intake of colored vegetables and fruits was common among students. A total of 30.5% reported daily intake of colored vegetables with no gender differences (31.5% females vs. 29.2% males). Alcohol intake and smoking were not common among students.

Conclusion
In spite of the overall low prevalence of overweight and obesity in the studied sample, results indicate that university students would possibly benefit from a nutrition and health promotion program to reduce the tendency of overweight and obesity, especially among male students, and to improve students' eating habits

Overweight and obesity in relation to cardiovascular disease risk factors among medical students in Crete, Greece.
Bertsias G, Mammas I, Linardakis M, Kafatos A.

Abstract
BACKGROUND:
Recent data indicate increasing rates of adult obesity and mortality from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Greece. No data, however, are available on prevalence of overweight and obesity in relation to CVD risk factors among young adults in Greece.

METHODS:
A total of 989 third-year medical students (527 men, 462 women), aged 22 +/- 2 years, were recruited from the University of Crete during the period 1989-2001. Anthropometric measures and blood chemistries were obtained. The relationships between obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], waist-to-hip ratio [WHpR], waist-to-height ratio [WHtR]) and CVD risk factor variables (blood pressure, glucose, serum lipoproteins) were investigated.

RESULTS:
Approximately 40% of men and 23% of women had BMI > or = 25.0 kg/m2. Central obesity was found in 33.4% (average percentage corresponding to WC > or = 90 cm, WHpR > or = 0.9 and WHtR > or = 50.0) of male and 21.7% (using WC > or = 80 cm, WHpR > or = 0.8, WHtR > or = 50.0) of female students. Subjects above the obesity indices cut-offs had significantly higher values of CVD risk factor variables. BMI was the strongest predictor of hypertension. WHtR in men and WC in women were the most important indicators of dyslipidaemia.CONCLUSION: A substantial proportion of Greek medical students were overweight or obese, obesity status being related to the presence of hypertension and dyslipidaemia. Simple anthropometric indices can be used to identify these CVD risk factors. Our results underscore the need to implement health promotion programmes and perform large-scale epidemiological studies within the general Greek young adult population

Obesity among Kuwait University students: an explorative study

1.
A.N. AI-Isa 1. Department of Community Medicine and Behavioural Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Kuwait, PO Box 24923, Safat, Code 13110, Kuwait

Abstract

University students' dietary habits have been criticised for their nutritional inadequacy and faddism. Kuwait University students may face the risk of obesity because of affluence and modernisation and the dynamic changes in their level of physical activity and caloric intake. This promted a study of a random sample of 842 Kuwait University students for dietary and socioeconomic factors associated with obesity. Weight and height were measured to calculate the body mass index (BMI), which is the weight in kilograms divided by the height in meters squared (kg/m2). Obesity was classified into grade 1 and 2 (BMI >25 and >30 kg/m2). The associated factors studied and obtained through questionnaires included gender, age, marital status, parental obesity, education and occupation, dieting, last dental and health check-up, year of study, number of siblings (total, brothers and sisters), eating in between meals, high school and college GPA and major, exercising, number of regular meals eaten, obese relatives, those living at home, and servants, highest desired degree, birth order, having a chronic disease, countries prefer visiting, family income, governorate, and socioeconomic status (SES). Grade 1 and 2 obesity were found to be 32.0 and 8.9%, respectively. Factors that were found to be significantly associated with obesity included gender, age, marital status, obesity among parents, dieting, last physical check-up, year of study, number of brothers, sisters and regular meals eaten and high school GPA. Logistic regression analysis revealed that the same factors significantly contributed to the development of obesity except the last four. The level of obesity among Kuwait University students is high. Obesity is a risk factor for a variety of chronic diseases. There is a need to address the challenge of instituting measures that would reduce the future ill-effects of obesity on young adults. It is widely believed that during the young adult years many important health habits are formed and set. It is at this stage (or earlier) that wellness and self-care programming for college students is essential and worthy of being explored and its efficacy assessed

Sex Differences in Dieting Trends, Eating Habits, and Nutrition Beliefs of a Group of Midwestern College Students

Sarah R. Davy

Beverly A. Benes, PhD, RD

Judy A. Driskell, PhD, RD

Abstract Full Text PDF Images References

Abstract
The influence of sex on dietary trends, eating habits, and nutrition self-assessment and beliefs of a group of college students at a large Midwestern university was investigated. A questionnaire was completed by 105 male and 181 female undergraduate students. Men had significantly higher (P<0.0001) height, weight, and body mass index values. Significantly higher percentages of women than men had tried a low-fat diet (P=0.0075) and a low-carbohydrate diet (P=0.0285). Significantly lower percentages of women than men had never tried a diet (P=0.0173). Significantly higher percentages of women than men reported gaining nutrition knowledge from family (P=0.0033) and magazines/newspapers (P=0.0345). Significantly higher percentages of women than men agreed that they had too much sugar in their diets (P=0.0157), that it is important to limit carbohydrate consumption (P=0.0077), that it is important to limit the amount of fat consumed to lose weight (P=0.0194), and that they needed to lose weight (P<0.0001). It is important to eat a variety of foods for good health according to 94.4% of subjects. Sex differences existed in these college students with regard to anthropometric measurements, certain choices of diets, some sources of nutrition knowledge, and some nutrition beliefs.

Influence of the desire to lose weight on food habits, and knowledge of the characteristics of a balanced diet, in a group of Madrid university students
B Navia1, R M Ortega1, A M Requejo1, M C Mena1, J M Perea1 and A M Lpez-Sobaler1

a group of university students, and to analyse the influence of this desire on declared food habits. The degree of knowledge on what constitutes a balanced diet was also determined. Design: Cross-sectional population survey. Subjects: The study subjects were 234 university students (48 males and 186 females) aged 22.3 1.5 y. The weight and height of each were recorded. All subjects were questioned on their desire to lose weight, habitual food intake frequencies, and about what they considered to constitute a balanced diet. Results: Approximately half the population (47.9%), both male (47.8%) and female (47.9%), expressed a desire to lose weight, even though the percentage of overweight students was low (11.1% overall, although much greater among male students [39.6%] than female students [3.8]). The body mass index (BMI) of those who wanted to lose weight was greater than that of those who did not. Nonetheless, the majority of subjects (especially females) showed BMIs within the normal range (1825 kg/m2). Among those who wished to lose weight, the consumption of sweet foods was lower although these subjects believed they ought to consume even less. It was also thought necessary that egg consumption be reduced, although no differences were recorded in declared consumption between those who wished to lose weight and those who did not. Conclusions: The results show that there is great concern over body weight, although no great differences were seen in the food habits and nutrition knowledge of those who wished to lose weight and those who did not.

Eating habits of University students living at, or away from home in Greece
Angeliki Papadakia, George Hondrosb, Jane A. Scotta, Maria Kapsokefaloub,
,

The aim of this study was to assess the effect of living away from, or in, the family home on the dietary habits of a group of Greek undergraduate University students. Eighty-four undergraduates at Athens Agricultural University, aged 2024, completed a single, self-administered food habits questionnaire that asked about their current food practices and their food practices before they started University. Students

living at home did not show major changes in their eating habits since starting University. Although students living away from the family home had made some positive changes, they decreased their weekly consumption of fresh fruit, cooked and raw vegetables, oily fish, seafood, pulses and olive oil, and increased their sugar, wine, alcohol and fast food intake. Between group comparisons of dietary changes showed that since starting University, students living away from home had developed more unfavourable eating habits than students living at the family home. These findings suggest that moving away from the family home and assuming responsibility for food preparation and purchasing for the first time affect dietary habits in this sample of Greek University students. Nutrition interventions in this young population should be encouraged to promote healthier diets and lifestyles, as well as adherence to the traditional Mediterranean diet.

Nutritional model and nutritional behaviors depending on BMI value among students of the Collegium Medicum of Jagiellonian University in Cracow].
[Article in Polish] Kolarzyk E, Kwiatkowski J, Lang-Mynarska D.

Source
Zakad Higieny i Ekologii, Collegium Medicum, Uniwersytet Jagielloski, Krakw. mykolarz@cyf-kr.edu.pl

Abstract
The aim of this work was the estimation of the way of nutrition and incorrect nutritional behaviors among students of Collegium Medicum at Jagiellonian University. There were 538 students of Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Care Department of Collegium Medicum, Jagiellonian University Cracow included in the examination. We estimated: the way of nutrition on the basis of the questionnaire by Starzyska including menu estimation. the frequency of incorrect nutritional behaviors on the basis of standardized version of modified questionnaire (Eating Disorders Inventory-EDI), weight-height proportions by calculation of BMI values in all cases. Underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) was observed in 52 examined persons (9.7%), correct weight-height proportions were observed in 416 persons (77.3%), overweight and obesity (BMI 2534.7 kg/m2) in 70 persons (13%). The comparison of three distinguished groups considering BMI showed statistically important differences (chi 2 test--p < 0.01) in the amount of meals consumed per day. Less than 3 meals per day were eaten more frequently by persons with underweight (21.15%) than by persons with correct body mass (11.56%) and overweight (7.14%). In the aspect of frequency of consumption of particular groups of products statistically important differences between groups with underweight, normal weight and overweight were not stated. Nevertheless many incorrect attitudes in the way of nutrition were noticed. 32% of students consumed animal proteins in less than 75% of all eaten meals per day, 32% of students did not eat milk products or cheese every day. 36% ate fruit and vegetables once a day or even less. Only 26% of persons ate whole-meal bread, cereals or pulse every day. Feeling angry or powerless was more often experienced by students with underweight than with normal weight or overweight. On the other hand eating something during studying and feeling better after eating was more often visible by students with overweight than by students with correct or too low values of BMI.

[Dietary and life-style habits of university students in Poland-empirical study].

[Article in Polish] Uramowska-Zyto B, Kozowska-Wojciechowska M, Jarosz A, Makarewicz-Wujec M.

Source
Zakad Upowszechniania Wiedzy o Zywnoci i Zywieniu, Instytut Zywnoci i Zywienia im Prof. A. Szczyga, 02-903 Warszawa.

Abstract
The aim of the study was the analysis of selected elements students life styles: nutrition behavior, physical activity, cigarettes smoking, alcohol drinking as a background of coronary diseases development. The respondents (412 persons) were university students: 339 women and 79 men. On an average they were 20 years old. 204 persons were inhabitants of towns, 208--villages and small towns. The interviews were conducted in Warsaw and Olsztyn in 2002. In general, for students non-healthy nutrition behavior were characteristic: non-regular consumption of meals (about 50%)), low frequency vegetables and fruits consumption (about 50%), sporadic fishes consumption (about 40%), preferring butter (35%) and poor physical activity (about 50%). Positive aspects of students nutrition were: preferring of poultry (44%), high frequency of fruit juice and mineral water drinking (about 40%) and sporadic chips and fast-food consumption (about 80%). One can observe differences in regard to the place of living. Pro-healthy behavior were more disseminated among students living in towns. More of them consumed daily vegetables, fruit juices, preferred poultry, did not smoke cigarettes and were physically active in comparison with students living in villages and small towns. General conclusions: there is a necessity to create programmers of health education at universities.

Effects of Life Away from Home and Physical Exercise on Nutrient Intake and Blood/Serum Parameters among Girl Students in Japan
Shinichiro Shimbo1), Zuo-Wen Zhang1), Naoko Matsuda-Inoguchi1), Kae Higashikawa2), Haruo Nakatsuka3), Takao Watanabe4)and Masayuki Ikeda2)

1) Department of Food and Nutrition, Kyoto Womens University 2) Kyoto Industrial Health Association 3) Miyagi University 4) Miyagi University of Education
(Received April 12, 2004) (Revision accepted for publication May 31, 2004)

This study was initiated to examine if the life away from home and participation in sport activities affect nutritional health among girl university students. For this purpose, anthropometric data, peripheral blood and spot urine samples, 24-hour food duplicate samples, and answers to questionnaires were collected from 71 girl students at 19 to 23 years of ages who provided informed consent to participate in the study. Of the 71 participants, 29 and 42 participants lived in their homes or outside, respectively, and 23 subjects participated in sport activities whereas 48 subjects did not. Hematology, serum biochemistry and nutrient intakes were evaluated in comparison with the life conditions (home vs. dormitory, boarding house, etc.) and participation in sport activities. The population studied had insufficient intake of energy, protein, and minerals such as Ca and Fe. Those who lived in home or participated in sport activities took more energy and protein (although not the two minerals) than others. Skipping of breakfast was more common among those who lived away from home and had no sport activity. Thus, two social factors of life in home and participation in sport clubs contribute favorably for better food habits, but not necessarily improved intakes of Ca and Fe.

Nutritional knowledge, food habits and health attitude of Chinese university students a cross sectional study
Ruka Sakamaki
1,2*

, Kenji Toyama , Rie Amamoto , Chuan-Jun Liu and Naotaka Shinfuku

Author Affiliations
1

* Corresponding author: Ruka Sakamaki sakamaki@seinan-jo.ac.jp

International Center for Medical Research. Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan

Seinan Jo Gakuin University Faculty of Health and Welfare, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Kitakyusyu, 803-0835, Japan

Department of Plastic Surgery, Kobe University Graduate School of Medicine, Kobe, 650-0017, Japan

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Nutrition Journal 2005, 4:4 doi:10.1186/1475-2891-4-4

The electronic version of this article is the complete one and can be found online at: http://www.nutritionj.com/content/4/1/4

Received: Accepted: Published:

2 November 2004 9 February 2005 9 February 2005

2005 Sakamaki et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0), which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Abstract
Background
We have previously shown that irregular lifestyle of young Japanese female students are significantly related to their desire to be thinner. In the present study, we examined the nutritional knowledge and food habits of Chinese university students and compared them with those of other Asian populations.

Methods
A self-reported questionnaire was administered to 540 students, ranging in age from 19-24 years. Medical students from Beijing University (135 men and 150 women) in Northern China and Kunming Medical College in southern China (95 men and 160 women) participated in this study. The parametric variables were analyzed using the Student's t-test. Chi-square analyses were conducted for non-parametric variables

Results
Our results showed that 80.5% of students had a normal BMI and 16.6 % of students were underweight with the prevalence of BMI>30 obesity being very low in this study sample. Young Chinese female students had a greater desire to be thinner (62.0%) than males (47.4%). Habits involving regular eating patterns and vegetable intake were reported and represent practices that ought to be encouraged.

Conclusions
The university and college arenas represent the final opportunity for the health and nutritional education of a large number of students from the educator's perspective. Our findings suggest the need for strategies designed to improve competence in the area of nutrition.

In conclusion, our findings reveal that the majority of students were classified into the normal BMI group, with the prevalence of BMI >30 obesity being very low in this study sample. Young female students had a greater desire to be thinner than male students. Habits involving regular eating patterns and vegetable intake were found and represent practices that ought to be encouraged. The meal and snack patterns in Chinese students were very similar to the traditional eating pattern model, although diets are changing rapidly in China and other low-income countries. The university and college arenas represent the final opportunity for nutritional education of a large number of students from the educator's perspective. Our findings suggest the need for strategies designed to improve competence in the area of nutrition, especially with respect to information relating to sources of nutrition and healthy weight management. Furthermore, public demand for health and nutritional information should be taken into consideration when implementing strategies aimed at improving the nutritional well-being of individuals

A Comparative Study about the Daily Intake of Fruits and Vegetables among Female Students of Two Universities of Faisalabad
Uzma Khalid1, Farhana Nosheen1, M. Asif Raza2, M. Ishaque3, Muhamad Ahmad4, Sajid Rashid Ahmad5 and Farwah Rubab1 1Department of Home Economics, G.C. University, Faisalabad, Pakistan 2Department of Animal Husbandry in the Tropics and Subtropics, Faculty of Organic Agricultural Sciences, University of Kassel, Germany 3Department of Forestry, University of Agriculture, Faisalabad, Pakistan 4Agriculture Adaptive Research Complex, Dera Ghazi Khan, Pakistan 5Institute of Geology, University of Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
Abstract: Fruits and vegetables are an important part of the daily diet. Eating 3-5 servings of colorful fruits and vegetables a day is important because deeply hued fruits and vegetables provide the wide range of vitamins, minerals, fiber and phyto-chemicals which body needs to maintain good health. Eating fruits and vegetables may truly promote muscle strength and reduce the risks of neuronal aging and cancer among youth. For this purpose, a study was conducted to analyze the students daily intake of balanced diet. The present study was conducted on 80 female respondents in A university and B university, Faisalabad, Pakistan was selected through a simple random sampling technique. The information was gathered from respondents through a questionnaire. Later on the data were analyzed, tables of percentage was applied to interpret the results. Almost both of the students of universities knew about balanced diet. They used to take fruit and vegetable salad in the form of 1/2 cup in a day and 3-4 times in a week. Correspondingly, half of the university students either used to eat vegetable like fried potato, chat, vegetable roll, sandwich, burger or fruit juices and fruit shake at lunch time in university. Both university students agreed that inclusion of fruit and vegetable in junk food would convert the food into healthy food which can help to reduce the obesity and used in weight management programs for youth. Key words: Diet, fruit and vegetables, university students

INTRODUCTION
Food provides not only essential nutrients needed for life but also other bioactive compounds for health promotion and disease prevention (Liu, 2003). The word "fruit" usually describes any fleshy part of a plant that has developed from a flower and has seeds. Vegetables are herbaceous plants. Herbaceous plants have soft stems and little or no woody tissue (Mohave, 2004; Rao et al., 2007). Fruits and vegetables are an important part of the daily diet. The benefits of eating fruits and vegetables are endless. Some of the benefits include lower risk of some cancers, healthy memory function, healthy urinary tract, healthy aging, healthy vision, healthy heart, healthy cholesterol levels, healthy immune system, strong bones and teeth (Nelson, 2006; Rethaiaa et al., 2010). Fruits are generally high in fiber, water and vitamin C. Fruits also contain various phytochemicals that do not yet have an RDA/RDI listing under most nutritional factsheets and which research indicates are required for proper long-term cellular health and disease prevention (Rao et al., 2007). Regular consumption of fruit is associated with reduced risks of cancer, cardiovascular disease, stroke, Alzheimer disease, cataracts and some of the functional declines associated with aging (Liu, 2004). Recommendations for fruit and vegetable intake have changed over the time as new scientific literature is published about the relationship of eating fruits and vegetables to health. There are a number of recent studies suggesting that the current recommendations are associated with lower risk of certain diseases, such as high blood pressure, heart disease and some cancers (Yahia et al., 2008). Eat one more fruit and one

more vegetable each day (this is probably double while eating now) that will improve health. While using fruits and vegetables get more energy, less fatigue, fewer allergies and fewer headaches. Fruits and vegetables provide water, fiber and lots of nutrients for many different functions in the body (Nelson, 2006). Yellow and orange fruits and vegetables aid in a strong immune system, heart and vision health and help to lower the risk of cancer (Admin, 2009). It's more important to include a wide variety of fiber-rich foods in the daily diet, than it is to use the highest total fiber amount. Since different fruits and vegetables have