Selected aspects of dietary habits and physical activity of students at the Biotechnical faculty, Slovenia

Abstract

Abstract The aim of this study was to determine the influence of joining university on dietary habits, intake of food, and physical activity of students at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. Overall, 226 students (82.3% female) self-evaluated their dietary habits and their physical activity before and after starting university. A change in dietary habits was evident for the majority of the students (female: 74.7%; male: 67.5%). After starting their studies, ~20% of students consumed less fruits and vegetables, and only 28.8% and 15.5% of the students consumed fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, respectively, more than once a day. Female students were more likely to prepare home-cooked meals (almost 50%; at least 4 times a week), while male students were more likely to eat in restaurants with subsidised meals. Approximately 70% of the students reported negative changes in their motor skills after starting university and of these, 90% also reported negative change in their dietary habits, as evidenced by higher consumption of savoury snacks and lower consumption of fresh vegetables. Since our results show a negative influence of joining university on dietary habits and physical activity, more attention needs to be paid to the critical factors involved.