Unhealthy dietary propensities are one of the most significant risk determinants for chronic diseases and obesity, especially if adopted in early adulthood. Unhealthy dietary is becoming more frequent because of the nutritious change that is influencing populaces over developing nations where more westernized dietary examples are dynamically supplanting customary dietary that contain more healthy foods (12). This transition in nutrition seems to affect mostly university students; different reports from developed nations have demonstrated that students are leaving their parent’s homes and living nearer to the vicinity of their respective school encounter various health associated behavioral alterations, including the appropriation of unhealthy dietary propensities. These practices are credited to severe environmental changes (6), availability, and affordability of unhealthy diets making them better preference to students, leading to high intake of fast foods that contain high levels of calories, and lower consumption of vegetables and fruits. Skipping meals is also frequent. Studies in different universities across the nation reveal that students eating habits are unfavorably being affected by environmental factors resulting in alarming rates of chronic diseases, high metabolic risk factors, and obesity (4), (10). Gender contrasts in eating and nutrient intakes have been stated in scientific literature in countries like the US, Canada, and England. Other research in universities in Australia has shown the prevalence of dietary habits in female students. Youthful female students are in danger of nutrient deficiency because of unhealthy eating behaviors and higher needs for micronutrients, for example, folate and iron particularly in the periconceptional period (4), (11). Some young ladies’ dietary examples which incorporate the evasion of poultry and meat that is rich in micronutrients, and social impacts, for example, they aim at lower BMI regardless of having a BMI in the typical range bringing about eating fewer carbs, could facilitate contrarily effect their supplement status and related health results. Therefore, this study aimed to highlight dietary behaviors, sedentary patterns, and nutritional status specifically in females (12).
In this study discussion from focus groups were utilized. 165 students from Deakin University were recruited from second to the fourth year of the university. First-year students were excluded given their ‘limited’ experience of campus life.
A cross-sectional survey was carried out among 300 students the students were females. Since random selection was not possible, a researcher approached students leaving classrooms during their break and lunch hours (11). The researcher explained the aims of the study and those that showed interest and gave consent through word of mouth were asked to answer the self-administered questionnaire over the weekend and submit it the following week to the Health Faculty at the University of Deakin.
The questionnaire had questions on dietary intakes of calcium, nutrient intakes using a 3-day food record and physical activity assessments. The participating students were assured of their anonymity during the study. Out of the 300 students handed the questionnaire 165 (55%) returned the survey forms to the field researcher, thus providing a sizable sample to be analyzed. Methods used for assessments were cutoff and probability.
The self-administered calcium questionnaires and the 3-day food record questionnaire included food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that examined the normal students’ dietary intake. The FFQ included questions on foods rich in calcium like milk (whole, low-fat, skim, soy milk, milk in tea/coffee and milk in cereal), cheese, yogurt, and seafood. The FFQ asked how many times in a day the participant took the specified food (8). The questionnaire was derived from a similar questionnaire administered in the Australian population and Dietary guidelines for Australian adults.
To take part in the anthropometric assessment, participants were first asked to give consent of their body measurements being recorded. Those that agreed have been invited to work in groups of fours. All the body composition was conducted in the laboratory. To measure the circumference a tape measure was used, and for body mass and height a body mass index machine was used. Results from the comparison of anthropometrics measures against the self-report enabled calculation of the equation for the corrected report of nutrient intakes for female students. An Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for each nutrient was set where a Recommended Dietary Intake (RDI) could be derived.
A body mass index (BMI) was calculated subsequently together with their heights and weights. None the less a trained field worker conducted the measurements using standardized techniques. The Harpenden caliper was used to assess skin fold in bicep, triceps, subscapular skinfold, and Iliac crest skinfold. All anthropometric assessment of participants’ bodies were done by three separate observers to ensure accuracy.
The participants self-examined their physical activities and energy expenditure by feeling a questionnaire. This exercise was aimed at comparing the estimated individual activity level and energy expenditure with the Australian population norms. The physical activities were assessed through times a person walks and for how long the walk last. The other activities included non-household chores like gardening aerobics and cycling.
Data was presented in Microsoft Excel sheet, and the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 23.0 (SPSS, Inc, Chicago IL, USA) was used for data analysis and interpretation. Participant’s t-tests were carried to assess comparisons of fat in skin fold and fat in BIA. The correlation was performed using Pearsons correlation method.
A total of 164 female students participated in the study. The student’s average age was 22.9 years. Mean BMI was (21.5 ± 2.8 kg/m2). Inadequate iron status was common with a 49.15 showing a risk of iron deficiency. Related to the respective range in the reference, 23.17% of the student participants had inadequate zinc concentrations (3). At the point when Hb level stratified press biomarker focuses, the predominance of hypoferritinemia (<15 μg/L) and transferrin immersion (<15%) expanded (X2, p < 0.01) in those with Hb < 120 g/L when contrasted with the ones with Hb ≥ 120 g/L (4). As per the environmental standards, a system of components affecting eating (incl. savoring) habits of students in universities was produced given substance investigation of the concentration aggregate discussions. The system comprises of four exceptional levels, that is, social condition (relational), individual (intrapersonal), physical condition (group backgrounds), large-scale condition, and an extra standard of college traits. The most proper quotes were delineated each (sub) section (5).
Table (i) Percentage of female class population at risk of deficiency of various nutrients (using EAR cut-point method and probability approach.
|
Using three-day record only |
|||
|
N below EAR |
% below EAR |
Method |
|
|
Calcium |
115 |
70.12% |
Using Cut-point method |
|
Folate |
57 |
34.76% |
|
|
Vitamin C |
15 |
9.15% |
|
|
Zinc women |
38 |
23.17% |
|
|
Iron Women |
49.15% |
Using Probability approach for iron |
Utilizing a scope of biomarkers, the study of the female university students depicted the nutritional situation of picked micronutrients. Selection of a certain good gathering took into consideration the evaluation of nutrient status and analysis of connections between micronutrients autonomously of any noteworthy health confounders (9). The concentration of the examination was the assurance of micronutrient status in youthful female college students since this group is in danger of insufficiency as a result of the higher micronutrient prerequisites for support of metabolic stores and expanded necessity conceivably because of lactation. The outcomes from the present examination demonstrated a high occurrence of iron deficiency status with the most well-known irregularity being hyperferritinemia. The predominance of elevated E-folate concentration was also a common finding (2).
Dietary patterns of the study revealed that fast foods were not related to BMI status of the participants but had a significant relation to low caloric/vegetarian diet. This could be because obese participants may have cut down intake of high caloric foods with the aim to reduce weight. It may also be because of there may be cases of underreporting among student p[articipants that are obese.
The observation made from the physical activities assessment showed that more students might be consuming unhealthy dietary. This is based on the results that indicated students with low or moderate physical activities consumed more energy dense foods with the mean energy expand AAQ being 2279.84 kJ.
The results of this study need to be interpreted with a lot of caution as the participants may have altered their eating habits due to the research. Another limitation of this study may be that for the use of students as participants it has to be noted that the students had an interested in this research, that may have caused an assortment prejudice. However, the sample features perceived health status and showed sufficient BMI. Additionally, the issue raised most every now and again is not the most essential, notwithstanding when it is raised by a bigger number of individuals. Every thought or supposition ought to be similarly valued. Consequently, future investigations, utilizing greater agent test estimate, should concentrate on giving quantitative proof concerning the significance and estimation of every determinant, making it likewise conceivable to separate as indicated by sex, year in school, examine train or other students attributes. Along these lines, future customed intercessions could concentrate on those circumstances students encounter as most determinative in their modern eating habit.
Methods used to assess dietary intakes was the cutoff mode. The strengths of this approach lay in the fact that individual participants’ dietary intakes cannot be contrasted with particular requirements of each person. A significant problem with this approach identified in the study was that the cut-off point might have misclassified individuals whose intake is below the cutoff but may meet their requirements such individuals may have been classified to be at risk of iron deficiency while they were not.
The different observers recorded all measurements to make sure that the data was accurate. Students were required to enter their information in the laboratory computers. This may have presented a possible flaw as data entered by every individual may not be identical to data recorded owing human error.
The technique used to assess physical activities of the participating students was Active Australia Survey. The advantage of this method is that it gave the participants great certainties with answers of whether activities happened or did not occur. The most significant challenge with the approach is that participants may have appeared inactive while they were active through household chores and other work-related activities.
Conclusion
Based on the study analysis female students participants there was an observation of micronutrient deficiencies and excesses like iron deficiency and excess of folate status. Iron in the body helps in the transportation of oxygen which means if there is a deficient supply of iron the body does not get enough good oxygen conveying red platelets (1), (2). The measure of the effect on the health of compound micronutrients lacks and abundances on well-being results are of concern. Extra research is expected to address inadequate nourishment in this people so that convincing general health interventions can be created.
References
Adam E Gaweda Affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Louisville, Louisville, Kentucky, USA. Markers of iron status in chronic kidney disease, 2017.
Alison O Booth Affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, Deakin University, BurwoodVictoria, Australia, Australian Red Cross Blood Service, AlexandriaNSW, Australia Operating Division of the Australian Red Cross Society, and Karen L. Iron status and dietary iron intake of female blood donors, 2014.
Fayet, Flavia, Peter Petocz, and Samir Samman. Prevalence and correlates of dieting in college women: a cross sectional study ( Dove Press ), 2012-08-13.
Fayet-Moore F, Petocz P, Samman S. “Nutrients.” Micronutrient status in female university students: iron, zinc, copper, selenium, vitamin B12 and folate. , 2014.
O., McArthur, Caterson I.D., Samman S., and Petocz P. A randomized controlled trial in young women of the effects of consuming pork meat or iron supplements on nutritional status and feeling of well-being, 2017.
KA Kapinos Affiliation: Institute for Social Research, University of Michigan, 426 Thompson Street, Ann Arbor, MI 48104, USA. [email protected], and O Yakusheva. Environmental influences on young adult weight gain: evidence from a natural experiment., 2011.
L Nasreddine Affiliation: Department of Nutrition and Food Science, American University of Beirut, Lebanon., F Naja, M Tabet, MZ Habbal, and A El-Aily. Obesity is associated with insulin resistance and components of the metabolic syndrome in Lebanese adolescents., 2012.
Azadbakht, Haghighatdoost F., Esmaillzadeh A., and Feizi A. Breakfast eating pattern and its association with dietary quality indices and anthropometric measurements in young women in Isfahan. Nutrition, 2013 .
Linnell, Jessica Dustin. Investigating factors that influence the effectiveness of school-based nutrition education programs to improve children’s health, 2015.
NR Kelly Affiliation: Department of Psychology, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA 23284, USA. [email protected], SE Mazzeo, and MK Bean. Systematic review of dietary interventions with college students: directions for future research and practice., 2013.
Pasricha SR, Flecknoe-Brown SC, Allen KJ, Gibson PR, McMahon LP, Olynyk JK, Roger SD, Savoia HF, Tampi R, Thomson AR, Wood EM. “Med J Aust.” Diagnosis and management of iron deficiency anaemia: a clinical update, 2010.
Deliens, Van Crombruggen R., Verbruggen S., Deforche B., and Clarys P. Dietary interventions among university students: A systematic review, 2017.
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