Eating Habits and Dietary Intake: Is Adherence to Dietary Guidelines Associated with Importance of Healthy Eating among Undergraduate University Students in Finland?

• DOI: 10.21101/cejph.a4195
• Publication Date: 2016-03-19T22:34:33Z
• Authors: Walid El Ansari; Sakari Suominen; Anastasia Samara
• Keywords: Healthy eating; Food group; Dairy foods; Refined grains; Red meat

Aim: Poor eating habits among young adults are a public health concern. This survey examined the of undergraduate university students in Finland. We assessed students' dietary intake variety food groups, their adherence to international guidelines (whole sample and by gender), associations between importance healthy gender). Methods: During 2013-2014 academic year, 1,189 enrolled at University Turku southwestern Finland completed an online self-administered questionnaire. Students reported 12 number daily servings fruits/vegetables they consume how important it is for them eat healthy. For recommendations, we employed WHO guidelines. Chi-square statistic tested differences males females also gradients self each whole gender. Results: observed high levels (>70%) most 'unhealthy food' items (cake/cookies, snacks, fast food/canned food, lemonade/soft drinks), moderate 'healthy (>50%) (dairy/dairy products, fruit/vegetables servings/day, fresh fruit, salads/raw vegetables cereal/cereal products). Fish/seafood, meat/sausage products cooked had <50% Women better (p≤0.001), whereas men sweets (difference=12.8%, p≤0.001), drinks (difference=16.7%, p≤0.001) fish/seafood (difference=6.6%, p=0.040) compared women. Most considered (78.8%). The was significantly associated with all groups besides cake/cookies. These remained significant women but some not (cereal/cereal snacks sweets). Conclusions: results suggest mainly healthier groups. There accordance regarding as actually However, there improvements be specific well gender when implementing strategies related intake.