Huang ef al. (1994) [1313 Huang Y, Song WO, Schemmel RA, Hoerr SM. What do college students eat? Food selection and meal pattern. Nutr Res. 1994;14(8):1143-53. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0271-5317(05)80242-8
https://doi.org/10.1016/S0271-5317(05)80...
] United States |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
1,912 university students (68% F); aged 22 to 24 years. |
|
Food recall |
|
Intake frequency of food groups and beverages. |
|
22% skipped breakfast and 80% habitually snacked at least once a day. The most and least frequent snacks were carbonated beverages and fruits and vegetables, respectively. Females consumed more salads and fewer high-fat and fast foods than males. |
Papadaki ef al. (2007) [1414 Papadaki A, Hondros G, Scotta JA, Kapsokefalou M. Eating habits of University students living at, or away from home in Greece. Appetite. 2007;49(1):169-76. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2007.01.008
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2007.01....
] Greece |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
84 university students (62% F); aged 20 to 24 years. |
|
FFQ |
|
Food intake frequency (by students living with and without parents). |
|
73% of the students did not live with their parents. Students who did not live with their parents had lower intake of fruits, vegetables, seafood, legumes, and olive oil; they prepared home meals less frequently; and they had higher intake of sugar, alcoholic beverages, and fast foods than students who lived with their parents. |
Kremmyda etal. (2008) [1515 Kremmyda LS, Papadaki A, Hondros G, Kapsokefalou M, Scott JA. Differentiating between the effect of rapid dietary acculturation and the effect of living away from home for the first time, on the diets of Greek students studying in Glasgow. Appetite. 2008;50(2-3):455-63. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2007.09.014
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2007.09....
] Scotland |
|
Pre-test/Pos-test |
|
43 (Greeks living with parents); 65% F; mean age 23 years; 37 (Greeks not living with parents, in Greece); 59% F; mean age 22 years; 55 (Greeks not living with parents, in Scotland); 49% F; mean 26 years. |
|
FFQ |
|
Food intake frequency. Pre-test/Pos-test analysis of entering university (living with and without parents). |
|
Students living with or without parents in Greece or those who moved to Scotland made worse food choices. Students who lived in Glasgow had made significant dietary changes, reducing their intake of fruits, vegetables, meats, and cheeses, and increasing their intake of snacks. Greeks who living away from parent home but remained in Greece reduced their intake of legumes, fish, breads/grains, and vegetables, and increased their intake of alcoholic beverages. Students who stayed with their parents did not make significant dietary changes. |
Laska ef al. (2009) [1616 Laska MN, Larson NI, Neumark-Sztainer D, Story M. Dietary patterns and home food availability during emerging adulthood: Do they differ by living situation? Public Health Nutr. 2009;13(2):222-8. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980009990760
https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898000999076...
] United States |
|
Cross section of a longitudinal study |
|
1,687 young adults (56% F); aged 18 to 23 years. |
|
FFQ Intake frequency of meals and snacks Score for home food availability of healthy food. |
|
Food intake. Dietary patterns in the last week. Home food availability. |
|
69% were university students and 47% did not live with their parents. Students who lived with their parents or rented a place had lower intake frequency of breakfast and higher intake of fast foods, higher home availability of junk foods, carbonated beverages, and chocolate at home than those who lived in the university campus.
|
Pérusse-Lachance eta/. (2010) [1717 Pérusse-Lachance E, Tremblay A, Drapeau V. Lifestyle factors and other health measures in a Canadian university community. Appl Physiol Nutr Metab. 2010;35(4):498-506. https://doi.org/10.1139/H10-035
https://doi.org/10.1139/H10-035...
] Canada |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
3,143 members of the university community, 80% are students, (76% F); mean age 24 years. |
|
Online questionnaires about eating habits. |
|
Intake frequency of fruits, vegetables, fish, and breakfast. |
|
Males consumed more carbonated beverages and energy drinks and skipped breakfast more frequently than females. Most did not consume the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily (87% F and 81 % M) or the recommended amount of fish weekly (61% F and 57% M). 89% frequently had breakfast. |
Nola etal. (2010) [1818 Nola IA, Jelinié JD, Matanié D, Pucarin-Cvetkovié J, Markovié BB, Senta A. Differences in eating and lifestyle habits between first- and sixth-year medical students from Zagreb. Coll Antropol. 2010;34(4):1289-94.] Croatia |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
441 university students (medicine program, first or sixth year of the undergraduate program); (70% F); aged 19 to 26 years. |
|
FFQ |
|
Intake frequency of food groups. |
|
22.5% had breakfast daily. 41.9% used dietary supplements. >80.0% consumed milk, dairy products, fruits, grains, sweets, coffees, and teas daily. First-year students consumed more meat, and sixth-year students consumed more coffee and tea. |
Cefai & Camilleri (2011) [1919 Cefai C, Camilleri L. The dietary habits of Maltese university students. Malta Med J. 2011;23(2):7-12.] Malta |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
494 university students (69% F); <25 years (96% of the sample). |
|
FFQ |
|
Intake frequency of food groups. |
|
Half of the students consumed 1-2 servings of fruits per day. 24% had breakfast daily. Preferred snacks at the campus’ cafeteria: sweets, chocolates, and white bread/sandwiches. |
Ansari et ai (2012) [2020 Ansari WE, Stock C, Mikolajczyk R. Relationships between food consumption and living arrangements among university students in four European countries: A cross-sectional study. Nutr J. 2012;11(28):1-7. https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-11-28
https://doi.org/10.1186/1475-2891-11-28...
] Germany, Denmark, Poland, and Bulgaria |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
2,402 university students; aged 20 to 23 years (70-80% of the sample). |
|
FFQ |
|
Food intake frequency by German, Danish, Polish, and Bulgarian students. |
|
In all countries less than 50% of the students consumed fruits frequently (many times a day). Males consumed more snacks and fast foods, and females consumed more vegetables and sweets. Students who lived with their parents consumed more fruits, vegetables, and meats. Bulgaria: highest intake frequency of sweets, pies, and snacks (French fries and fast food). Poland: lowest intake frequency of fruits and vegetables. |
Ortiz-Moncada etal. (2012) [2121 Ortiz-Moncada R, Navarro AIN, Marti AZ, Sáez JF, Blanes MCD. ¿Siguen patrones de dieta mediterránea los universitarios españoles? Nutr Hosp. 2012;27(6):1952-9. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2012.27.6.6091
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2012.27.6.609...
] Spain |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
380 university students (64% F); mean age 22 years (F) and 24 years (M). |
|
FFQ |
|
Percentage of adherence to the Mediterranean diet. |
|
Not a single student had proper intake of all study food groups. High intake of red meats, sausages, cured meats, and sweets; low intake of grains, fruits, vegetables, and fish. |
Moreno-Gómez etal. (2012) [2222 Moreno-Gómez C, Romaguera-Bosch D, Tauler-Riera P, Bennasar-Veny M, Pericas-Beltran J, Martinez-Andreu S, et al. Clustering of lifestyle factors in Spanish university students: The relationship between smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity and diet quality. Public Health Nutr. 2012;15(11):2131-9. https://doi.org/10.1017/S1368980012000080
https://doi.org/10.1017/S136898001200008...
] Spain |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
987 university students (55% F); mean age 21 years. |
|
Semi-quantitative FFQ |
|
Diet quality assessment by four indices. |
|
Low intake of grains, tubers, fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, and olive oil. High intake of processed meats, sweets, snacks, sugar-sweetened beverages, and bakery items. Females consumed significantly more fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds than males, while males consumed more foods high in fats and proteins. |
Small et al. (2013) [2323 Small M, Bailey-Davis L, Morgan N, Maggs J. Changes in eating and physical activity behaviors across seven semesters of college: Living on or off campus matters. Health Edu Behav. 2012;40(4):435-41. https://doi.org/10.1177/10 90198112467801
https://doi.org/10.1177/10 9019811246780...
] United States |
|
Longitudinal |
|
608 university students (51 % F); mean age 18 years (first semester). |
|
Fourteen consecutive 24-hours recalls (conducted during a follow-up period of seven semesters). |
|
Mean daily intake of fruits, vegetables, and carbonated beverages throughout the semesters. |
|
Few students consumed fruits and vegetables, and the intake of these items decreased significantly over the semesters. Carbonated beverage intake also decreased over the semesters. Students who did not live in the campus (1.9%) had even lower intake of fruits and vegetables over the semesters. |
Strawson ef al. (2013) [2424 Strawson C, Bell R, Downs S, Farmer A, Olstad D, Willows N. Dietary Patterns of female university students with nutrition education. Can J Diet Pract Res. 2013;74(3):138-42. https://doi.org/10.3148/74.3.2013.138
https://doi.org/10.3148/74.3.2013.138...
] Canada |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
36 female university students (nutrition program); (100% F). |
|
FFQ |
|
Intake adequacy according to the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index Score. |
|
Not a single student consumed the recommended portions of vegetable, seed, nut, olive oil, or whole grain servings. Most students did not consume the recommended amount of all food groups. |
Zazpe etal. (2013) [2525 Zazpe I, Marqués M, Sánchez-Tainta A, Rodríguez-Mourille A, Beunza J, Santiago S. Hábitos alimentarios y actitudes hacia el cambio en alumnos y trabajadores universitarios españoles. Nutr Hosp. 2013;28(5):1673-80. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.5.6553
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.5.655...
] Spain |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
1,429 university students and employees; (61% F); mean age 23 years. |
|
Questionnaire about eating habits. |
|
Intake frequency of food groups. |
|
Low intake of fruits, vegetables, fish, and dry fruits. High intake of carbonated beverages, bakery products, fast foods, and red meats. Sanitation science students had healthier eating habits than letters students. 39% reported intending to change their eating habits. |
Burriel etal. (2013) [2626 Burriel FC, Urrea RS, García CV, Tobarra MM, Meseguer MJG. Hábitos alimentarios y evaluación nutricional en una población universitária. Nutr Hosp. 2013;28(2):438-46. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.2.6303
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.2.630...
] Spain |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
80 university students (nursing program); (79% F); mean age 21 years. |
|
24-hours recalls (total of 9 days, on 3 weekly occasions, for three consecutive months). |
|
Diet quality assessment by two indices. |
|
98.00% had breakfast and 75.00% had at least four meals a day. High intake of grains and simple sugars, dairy products, and meats; low intake of fish and fibers. 91.25% needed to make dietary changes. 53.00% adhered to the Mediterranean diet. |
Travé (2013) [2727 Travé TD. Análisis nutricional del desayuno y almuerzo en una población Universitaria. Nutr Hosp. 2013;28(3):1291-9. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.4.6597
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2013.28.4.659...
] Spain |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
740 university students. (61% F); mean age 20.5 years. |
|
24-hours recall of breakfast and/or lunch by interview. |
|
Intake of foods, macro and micronutrients during breakfast and lunch. |
|
98.6% had breakfast and 54.2% had lunch. The most consumed food groups during breakfast were: milk and dairy products (92.6%), grains and grain-based products (58.8%), cakes, sweets, and desserts (57.9%); and in smaller amounts, fresh fruits (16.6%); 47.6% added sugar to coffee or cocoa powder to milk. The most consumed food groups during lunch were grains and grain-based products (46.6%), fresh fruits (35.0%), and meats and meat-based products (34.9%); low intake of eggs, fish, fruits, and vegetables. |
Bagordo et ai (2013) [2828 Bagordo F, Grassi T, Serio F, Idolo A, De Donno A. Dietary habits and health among university students living at or away from home in Southern Italy. J Food Nutr Res. 2013;52(3):164-71.] Italy |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
193 university students (78% F). Mean age 23 years. |
|
FFQ |
|
Food intake frequency. |
|
72.5% lived with their parents. 82.0% had breakfast at home and 11.0% skipped this meal. The most frequently consumed foods were breads/grains, fruits, potatoes/rice pasta, dairy products, meats/poultry. The most consumed beverages were milk, coffee, and tea. Students who lived with their parents had high intake of cooked vegetables, fish, meats, savory snacks, breads/grains, legumes, and sandwiches. Students who did not live with their parents had high intake of raw vegetables, alcoholic beverages, raw/cold meat cuts, and ready-to-eat frozen foods. |
Likus et ai (2013) [2929 Likus W, Milka D, Bajor G, Jachacz-Łopata M, Dorzak B. Dietary habits and physical activity in students from the medical University of Silesia in Poland. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2013;64(4):317-24.] Poland |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
239 university students (health area, first year); (84% F); mean age 20 years. |
|
Questionnaire on eating habits. |
|
Intake frequency of food groups and eating habits. |
|
25.0% did not have breakfast and 45.6% habitually snacked between the main meals. 29.0% consumed fruits and vegetables daily and 12.0% had never eaten fish. 39.0% consumed energy drinks and 40.0% consumed sugar-sweetened beverages daily. |
García-Meseguer et ai. (2014) [3030 García-Meseguer MJ, Burriel FC, García CV, Serrano-Urrea R. Adherence to Mediterranean diet in a Spanish university population. Appetite. 2014;78(1):156-64. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.03.020
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.appet.2014.03....
] Spain |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
284 university students (56% F); Mean age 21 years |
|
2 24-hours recalls (one on the weekend). |
|
Diet quality assessment by two indices. |
|
98.0% had breakfast. Low intake of fruits, vegetables, and fibers. High intake of meats, dairy products, and simple sugars. Main protein sources were meats, grains, and dairy products. The scores of 96.1% of the sample indicated poor diet or diet in need of improvement. |
AL-Otaibi (2014) [3131 AL-Otaibi HH. The pattern of fruit and vegetable consumption among Saudi university students. Global J Health Science 2014;6(2):155-62. https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v6n2p155
https://doi.org/10.5539/gjhs.v6n2p155...
] Saudi Arabia |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
960 female university students (100% F); mean age 22 years. |
|
2 questions about daily fruit and vegetable intake frequency. |
|
Daily intake frequency of fruits and vegetables. |
|
78.0% had low intake of fruits and vegetables, and only 22.0% consumed the recommended daily amounts. The main barriers to fruit and vegetable intake were lack of time to prepare them and not finding them at the restaurant or university. |
Pérez-Gallardo et ai (2015) [3232 Pérez-Gallardo L, Gómez TM, Marzo IB, Pascual MAF, Calle EM, Domínguez RR, et al. Calidad de la dieta en estudiantes universitários con distinto perfil académico. Nutr Hosp. 2015;31(5):2230-9. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.31.5.8614
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.31.5.861...
] Spain |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
77 university students (80% F); mean age 21 years. |
|
7-day food record. |
|
Intake frequency of food groups. Adherence to the Mediterranean diet by undergraduate program. |
|
High intake of fatty meats and sweets, low intake of grains, fruits, and vegetables. Health students’ area had higher adherence to the Mediterranean diet (51.4%) than students in other programs (30.8%). 58.9% had low or medium adherence to the Mediterranean diet; 60.0% F and 50.0% M lived with other students, and 56.0% of the students were responsible for preparing their meals. |
De Piero et ai (2015) [3333 De Piero A, Bassett N, Rossi A, Sammán N. Tendencia en el consumo de alimentos de estudiantes universitários. Nutr Hosp. 2015;31(4):1824-31. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.31.4.8361
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.31.4.836...
] Argentina |
|
Time series analysis (in 1998-1999 and 2012-2013) |
|
329 university students (75% F); mean age 23 years. |
|
7-day food record; Semi-quantitative FFQ |
|
Food intake frequency. |
|
Monotonous diet and gradual increase in the intake of processed foods with added sugar and snacks. Low intake of dairy products, fish, fruits, vegetables, and dietary fibers. |
Agüero et al (2015) [3434 Agüero SD, Godoy EF, Fuentes JF, Fernández AH, Muñoz CQ, Hidalgo WY, et al. Patrones alimentarios asociados a un peso corporal saludable em estudiantes chilenos de la carrera de nutrición y dietética. Nutr Hosp. 2015;32(4):1780-5. https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.32.4.9515
https://doi.org/10.3305/nh.2015.32.4.951...
] Chile |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
634 university students (nutrition and dietetics programs); (87% F); mean age 22 years. |
|
Questionnaire on eating habits. |
|
Intake frequency of foods and meals. |
|
Low intake of fish, legumes, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Frequent intake of alcoholic beverages, savory snacks, deep-fried foods, and sugar-sweetened beverages. 31.5% did not have breakfast and 90.1 % did not have dinner/supper. |
Alsunni & Badar (2015) [3535 Alsunni AA, Badar A. Fruit and vegetable consumption and its determinants among Saudi university students. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2015;10(2):201-7. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2014.11.003
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2014.11...
] Saudi Arabia |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
367 university students (39% F); mean age 22 years. |
|
FFQ |
|
Intake frequency of fruits and vegetables (low, medium, high). |
|
84.5% did not consume the amount of fruits and vegetables recommended by the World Health Organization. Living with parents, planning meals daily, and being aware of the World Health Organization recommendations were related to moderate or high fruit and vegetables intake. |
Majeed (2015) [3636 Majeed F. Association of BMI with diet and physical activity of female medical students at the University of Dammam, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. J Taibah Univ Med Sci. 2015;10(2):188-96. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2014.11.004
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jtumed.2014.11...
] Saudi Arabia |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
215 female university students (100% F); mean age 19 years. |
|
Questionnaire on eating habits and barriers to healthful eating. |
|
Intake frequency of food groups and barriers to healthful eating. |
|
Reasons for unhealthful eating: 25.0% lack of time and 19.0% lack of access to healthy foods. 81.0% preferred to prepare their meal, 16.3% preferred to consume frozen meals, and 24.0% consumed fast foods. 56.0% had breakfast, 76.0% had lunch, and 58.0% had dinner/supper. Low intake of fruits/fruit juices (89.0%), and green leafy vegetables (92.0%). |
Lupi et ai (2015) [3737 Lupi S, Bagordo F, Stefanati A, Grassi T, Piccinni L, Bergamini M, et al. Assessment of lifestyle and eating habits among undergraduate students in northern Italy. Ann Ist Super Sanità. 2015;51(2):154-61. https://doi.org/10.4415/ANN_ 15_02_14
https://doi.org/10.4415/ANN_ 15_02_14...
] Italy |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
258 university students (69% F); mean age 23 years. |
|
FFQ |
|
Food intake frequency (living with or without parents). |
|
54.3% did not live with their parents. Students who lived with their parents consumed vegetables, fish, meats and poultry, fresh fruits, eggs, breads, and grains more frequently. Students who did not live with their parents consumed processed foods, ready-to-eat foods, beers and spirit, milk, and chips more frequently. |
Teleman et ai (2015) [3838 Teleman AA, Waure C, Soffiani V, Poscia A, Di Pietro ML. Nutritional habits in Italian university students. Ann Ist Super Sanità. 2015;51(2):99-105. https://doi.org/10.4415/ANN_15_02_05
https://doi.org/10.4415/ANN_15_02_05...
] Italy |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
8516 university students (67% F); mean age 22 years. |
|
FFQ |
|
Food intake frequency. |
|
Low intake of fruits and vegetables. Females had lower intake of fruits and vegetables than males. 8.5% consumed 5 meals/day; 64.0% regularly had breakfast. 61.0% consumed energy drinks. 11.0% consumed a large amount of coffee (amount increased with age). |
Gresse ef al. (2015) [3939 Gresse A, Steenkamp L, Pietersen J. Eating, drinking and physical activity in Faculty of Health Science students compared to other students at a South African university. S Afr J Clin Nutr. 2015;28(4):154-9. https://doi.org/10.1080/16070658.2015.11734555
https://doi.org/10.1080/16070658.2015.11...
] South Africa |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
619 university students (health area); (66% F) N=126 (other areas); (75% F). |
|
FFQ |
|
Dietary patterns and food intake frequency (health area x other areas). |
|
The areas did not differ significantly. 51% did not have breakfast daily. Inadequate fruit intake: 65% in health area and 67% in other areas. Inadequate intake of vegetables: 70% in health area and 64% in other areas. High intake of fast foods and snacks: 75% and 50% in health area, 76% and %52% in other areas, respectively. |
Mahfouz ef al. (2016) [4040 Mahfouz MS, Makeen AM, Akour AY, Madkhly TM, Hakami HM, Shaabi WM, et al. Nutritional habits and weight status among Jazan university students: Eating patterns and healthy lifestyle assessment. Epidemiol Biostat Public Health. 2016;13(2):e11658. https://doi.org/10.2427/11658
https://doi.org/10.2427/11658...
] Saudi Arabia |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
436 university students (50% F); aged 19-24 years (98% of the sample). |
|
Multiple-choice questionnaire about eating habits. |
|
Analysis of eating habits compared by gender and undergraduate course. |
|
83.3% M and 95.1 % F habitually snacked throughout the day. Few had breakfast daily (14.8% M and 13.4% F). Low daily intake of fruits. High daily intake of sugar-sweetened beverages. |
Kowalcze ef al. (2016) [4141 Kowalcze K, Turyk Z, Drywień M. Nutrition of students from dietetics profile education in the Siedlce University of natural sciences and humanities compared with students from other academic centres. Rocz Panstw Zakl Hig. 2016;67(1):51-8.] Poland |
|
Cross-sectional |
|
100 female university students (100% F); Second and third years of the undergraduate programs (natural sciences and humanities). |
|
Questionnaire with close-ended questions about meal intake frequency. |
|
Intake frequency of food groups and meals. |
|
67% had breakfast daily. 94% had meals at home. The favorite cooking method was deep frying (52%). 58% consumed fruits and 65% consumed vegetables daily. 44% had a snack for dinner/supper, occasionally or sometimes. 70% never used some sort of dietary supplement. 46% sporadically consumed or had never ate fish. |