Samar Abd-El Mohsen Ali*
Nutrition Department, High Institute of Public Health, Alexandria University, Egypt
*Corresponding Author E mail Address: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Background: Unhealthy dietary intake and lifestyle can adversely affect the health of young college going students. Objective: the aim was to evaluate the dietary pattern and obesity status of college students in Alexandria, Egypt. Subjects: A cross sectional study was conducted on 400 college students attending four faculties of Alexandria University, Egypt. Data was Collected for socio-demographic characteristics, and dietary pattern (habits and intake using 24 h recall method). Body weight and height were measured to calculate body mass index. Results: Higher percentage of male students were skipping meals than female students (59.1% and 55.4% respectively), 63.3% of students skipped breakfast, highest percent of students were eating outside home and had snacks between meals. Overweight was among 30.2% of students and 5.2% were obese. Conclusion: Adoption of unhealthy eating pattern among college students in Alexandria was observed, such as skipping breakfast, excessive snacking, eating outside the home and excessive consumption of soft drinks leading to increased risk of overweight and obesity.
Keywords: Dietary pattern, College- Age Students, Alexandria, Egypt
Citation: Ali SA. Dietary Pattern of College-Age Students in Alexandria, Egypt: A Cross-Sectional Study. Canad J Clin Nutr 2018; 6 (1): 140-152.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2018.01.09
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