Differences in the Dietary and Health-Related Habits and Quality of Diet in University Students Living in Daejeon

Lee, Mee Sook; Woo, Mee Kyung

Abstract

This study was investigated the differences in the dietary habits and quality of diet among 148 university students in Daejeon between 1993 (71 subjects) and 2000 (77 subjects). Among male students, there were increases in height and decreases in weight, but the number in the normal weight group assessed by the BMI, increased. Significant increases in meal regularity and the rate of considering a balanced diet at meal time and significant decreases in the rate of eating unbalanced meals were noted over time among the male students. The number of male students drinking alcohol and those drinking alcohol frequently decreased significantly. When considering differences in the nutrient intake of males according to the Korean RDA, the percentages of energy, iron, and Vitamin B2 decreased, while those of Vitamin C, calcium, and phosphorus increased over time. The NAR (Nutrient Adequacy Ratio) of most nutrients, especially in iron and Vitamin C were higher, than those of 1993, but the NAR of calcium, iron, Vitamin B2, niacin and MAR (Mean Adequacy Ratio) were lower than 0.75 in the males. The INQ (Index of nutritional quality) of Vitamin C was higher than that of 1993, and the INQ of calcium and Vitamin B2 were lower than 1 among the males. Among the females, there was no change in height and weight between 1993 and 2000, but the normal weight group, as assessed by the BMI, increased as among the males. However, unlike among the males, significant decreases in meal regularity and significant increases in the rate of alcohol drinking were noted over time. The intake of energy and nutrients showed trends similar to those among the males. The NARs of most nutrients were lower than those of 1993 among in the females. The INQs of protein, calcium, Vitamin B1, and Vitamin C increased significantly, but the INQs of calcium, iron, and Vitamin B2 were lower than 1 among the females. From these results, we found that male students showed relatively desirable changes over time in their dietary and health-related habits and the quality of their diets, while female students showed undesirable changes in their dietary and alcohol drinking habits and the quality of their diets.