Nutritional status and food practices among university female students

Unhealthy food habits is one of the leading cause of important health and nutritional problems specially among adolescents. The goal of this study was to assess the nutritional status and food practices among university female students. Cross sectional study. The study included 200 university female students; 100 females selected randomly from Cairo Faculty of Education and 100 females selected randomly from El-Minia Faculty of Education during the academic year 2004-2005. Dietary assessment was done using 24-hour recall. The recorded data on food items were calculated using food composition tables and compared with recommended dietary allowance. Dietary practices, information about major food items were obtained by food frequency method. Information about fast food intake, food intake during watching television, body image, methods of weight reduction and sources of nutritional knowledge were collected by questionnaire. The anthropometric measurements of female students were assessed by measuring the height, weight and body mass index. The study showed that 52.5% of female students were normal weight, 5% were underweight while overweight and obese students were 42.5%. Normal weight group as well as overweight group got total protein more than recommended dietary allowance. Fat intake either animal or plant fat was more among overweight group than normal weight group. Similarly carbohydrate and energy intake were more among overweight group than normal weight group. Adolescents eat less than RDA from the following nutrients: calcium, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin B[1], niacin and vitamin E. Eating in front of the television is a common bad habit among the studied groups specially overweight group. The results showed that television is the most important source of knowledge [60.5%] followed by books [17.5%] and friends [16.5%]. Among overweight group, 47% only reported that they tried to reduce weight mainly by regular exercise [71.7%] while those who followed weight reducing diet were only 56.6%. Overweight and obesity is a common nutritional problem among university students. Adolescents eat unhealthy food which is high in fat and in caloric contents and deficient in many other elements. Skipping breakfast, frequent eating fast food and drinking soft drinks as well as having snacks between meals are common nutritional problems. Health education toward these problems should be included in television programs and in university curricula

Epidemiological study of anxiety among orphanage homes residents in El-Minia and Assiut governorates

In the developing countries, adolescents and young people have insufficient access to information about effect of orphanage home environment on anxiety level of resident and health needs. The government's health services generally neither recognize the special needs nor seek to orphanage homes climate in which young people are supported. This work aimed at studying the anxiety level of the adolescents living in orphanage homes in El-Minia and Assiut governorates. Cross sectional study. A total of 112 adolescents, 50 from Assiut orphanage homes [22 boys and 28 girls] and 62 from El-Minia orphanage homes [34 boys and 28 girls] aged from 10-19 years old were included in the study from January 2005 to March 2005. A structured questionnaire was used for data collection, blood pressure, hemoglobin level, weight and height were measured. State trait Anxiety scale for measuring the level of anxiety used. The study showed that 31.5% of boys were physically abused compared to 12.5% of girls. Boys also reported that they do not have regular visits from anybody more than girls [75% and 37.5% respectively]. On the other hand, 32.1% of girls used to spend their holidays inside the orphanage homes compared to 10.7% of boys. In addition, 46.3% of girls and 25% of boys reported regular nightmares. More than half of boys [55.4%] and 78.6% of girls feel that they are less than other children live outside the orphanage homes. Anxiety levels of both boys and girls were high [45.1 +/- 2.2 vs 41.2 +/- 3.1, p=0.002 respectively]. Boys with high anxiety level were more than girls [35.7% and 25% respectively]. More than half of children who reported physical abuse had high anxiety level [57.2%]. Similarly more than half of those who reported that they do not go out during their holidays had high anxiety level [56.5%]. Boys live in orphanage homes had higher anxiety level than girls. Adolescents live in orphanage homes feel that they are less than other adolescents live outside orphanage homes. Those who reported that they were physically abused and those who used to stay at home during holidays had higher anxiety level than other adolescents