Study of dietary habits among adolescents at Assiut and South Valley Universities [a non clinical study]

ABSTRACT

A random sample of 543 students of Assiut [AU] and South Valley [SVU] universities was studied for the evaluation of the dietary habits, nutrient intake and some demographic characteristics. South Valley [SV] students were born in rural areas more than Assiut students. 42.7% of Assiut group live in the university hostels compared with 37.7% of SV group. 38.2% of Assiut students and 30% of South Valley group live with family. 13.8% of Assiut and 30.6% of South Valley students live in shared flats. 5.3% of Assiut and 1.7% of SV groups live with relatives. 42.3% of Assiut and 35.7% of South Valley group eat breakfast regularly, without sex difference in each group. 20.3% of Assiut and 32.3% of South Valley groups regularly take fresh vegetables and salads and it is related to the accommodation type only in Assiut students. 37.8% of Assiut and 41.4% of SV group eat fruits regularly and both sexes eat fruits equally irrespective to the accommodation type. The types and quantity of consumed foods in the previous 24 hours were coded according to the standard food composition table [9] and transferred to their nutritive values. The daily requirements from each food element were calculated according to WHO, which consider the university students as moderately active. Calories intake was adequate in 62.6% of Assiut and 72.4% of South Valley students, and females consumed more calories than males. Students live in the university hostels had more calorie intake. Nearly all students had their adequate total protein requirements, without a sex difference in each group. The calcium intake was low in about half of Assiut males and females, and was higher in the South Valley group. It was not related to the accommodation type. The iron intake was low among females than males in each group, it was related to the accommodation type only in the SV students. Adequate vitamin A intake was present in more than 85.5% of students with sex difference only in the SV group. About 80% of males and all females took adequate vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 intake was not related to the sex or accommodation type in each group. 70.4% of Assiut and 79.5% of SV groups had an adequate niacin intake and males were better than females in each group. Adequate vitamin C intake was present in 72.4% of Assiut and 68.7% of SV groups without a significant difference