Effect of Dietary Habit on Physical and Psychological Health of the Students of University

Abstract

Dietary habits significantly influence both the physical and psychological health of university students. Relationship between dietary habits and the physical and psychological health of university students is a critical area of research. This thesis aims to investigate how dietary choices impact both physical well-being and psychological aspects, including stress and anxiety levels. According to the findings of the study, a total 409 students from different public and private university students (age 15 to >/=30) were surveyed. Participants completed a cross-sectional design to investigate the relationship between dietary habits and physical and psychological health outcomes among university students. Analysis of the student dietary habit 14.4% are under weight,47.4% are ideal weight,15.2% are overweight,19.1% are obese I and 3.9% are obese II. It was observed from findings that about 3.7% students that they never consumed breakfast,11.7% indicated that they rarely ate,24.4% consumed sometimes,32.5% having breakfast most of the time and 27.6% consistently ate breakfast every day. More than three-quarters of the responds (87.5%) had dinner regularly and around 12.5% of the participants had irregular dinner habits.66% of the respondents consumed little to no dairy products on a regular basis. In contrast,34% reported consuming 1,2 and 3 or more portion of dairy products daily.62.3% of the respondents had minimal or no fruit consumption on a regular basis while more than half of the respondents (37.7%) consuming less than1 portion of fruit per day. Nearly onequarter (23%) of the respondents had low or no vegetable intake and 77%had consumed1,2 and 3 or more portion per day. The majority of respondents (90.5%) consumed at least one portion of fish, eggs, or meat daily, with 45.2% consuming two or more portions. A small percentage (9.3%) reported consuming less than one portion per day.50.1% of students consumed less than one portion of pulses or legumes daily, more than half (61.6%) reported consumed less than 1 portion of fried foods while (29.3%) consumed 1 portion of fried food daily and 11.2%comsumed two, three or more portion.(73.1%),reported no consumption of sugary or soda drinks. In contrast, (26.9%) indicated that they consumed at least 1 portion of sugary or soda drinks. (91.4%), reported not smoking or consuming alcohol regularly. In contrast, only (8.6%) indicated that they engaged in smoking or alcohol consumption.(50.9%) reported consuming less than 1 portion per day, while(33.2%)consumed1,2 and 3 or more portions daily.63.1% of the respondents, had minimal or no fast food consumption,(39.9%) consumed1,2and 3 or more portions daily.(54.0%),reported that they did not add extra salt to their meals (35.5%) indicated that they occasionally added extra salt(10.5%) always added extra salt to their foods. The research highlights the significant role of dietary habits in influencing the physical and psychological well-being of university students.