Association of college entrance exam with changes in some lifestyle factors among adolescents

UniStArt: A 12-Month Prospective Observational Study of Body Weight, Dietary Intake, and Physical Activity Levels in Australian First-Year University Students

Background: Students in the United States gain weight significantly during their first year of university, however limited data are available for Australian students. Methods: This 12-month observational study was conducted to monitor monthly body weight and composition, as well as quarterly eating behaviours, dietary intake, physical activity, sedentary behaviours, and basal metabolic rate changes amongst first-year Australian university students. Participants were first-year university students over 18 years. Results: Twenty-two first-year university students (5 males and 17 females) completed the study. Female students gained weight significantly at two, three, and four-months (+0.9 kg; +1.5 kg; +1.1 kg, p < 0.05). Female waist circumference (2.5 cm increase at three-months, p = 0.012), and body fat also increased (+0.9%, p = 0.026 at three-months). Intakes of sugar, saturated fat (both >10% of total energy), and sodium exceeded recommended levels (>2000 mg) at 12-months. Greater sedentary behaviours were observed amongst male students throughout the study (p <0.05). Conclusions: Female students are at risk of unfavourable changes in body composition during the first year of university, while males are at risk of increased sedentary behaviours. High intakes of saturated fat, sugars, and sodium warrant future interventions in such a vulnerable group.

Dietary and lifestyle habits among university students at different academic years

BACKGROUND/AIMS

College serves as a transitionary period into adulthood where students begin making independent dietary and lifestyle choices and begin forming possibly detrimental habits. Such habits may persist into adulthood and negatively affect their long-term health and risk of disease. This study aimed at exploring the dietary and lifestyle habits among the Hashemite University students at different academic years.

METHODS

A cross-sectional design was used to study dietary and lifestyle habits as well as the occurrence of obesity among a convenient sample of undergraduate students at the Hashemite University during the academic year 2015-2016. Five hundred and forty students (184 males: 356 females) were enrolled in this study. Bodyweight and height were measured and body mass index was calculated. Personal information, dietary habits and physical activity data were collected using constructed questionnaires.

RESULTS

Around 36% of the students were overweight and obese. The percentage of overweight among the freshmen was about 31% and 26.5% among the seniors. Additionally, 8.6% of freshmen and 16.3% of seniors were found to be obese. One-third (30.2%) of the study sample was hookah smokers, while 15.4% were cigarette smokers. The students showed similar physical activity levels in the four academic years. The majority of students at different academic levels consumed fruits 1-2 times/week and 5 times cereals, grains, and starchy vegetables/day.

CONCLUSION

Our results show that approximately one-third of students are overweight or obese, and practicing unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits. This indicates a need to address this problem, possibly through implementing a nutrition and health education programs at the university in addition to improving the quality of food available on campus.