J Nutr Health.  2023 Dec;56(6):714-729. 10.4163/jnh.2023.56.6.714.

Dietary habits and nutrient intake status of university students according to obesity risk based on body mass index and percent body fat

• Lee CH
• Lee KA

• KMID: 2550533
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2023.56.6.714

Abstract

Purpose
Since the coronavirus pandemic, the number of obese people has increased, and accelerated aging has been reported, particularly among young population. Therefore, this study analyzed the dietary habits of university students according to their risk of obesity to provide data for improving their eating habits.
Methods
Ninety students at Daegu Catholic University were surveyed for their eating habits and photo-enhanced meal intake. The obesity risk was categorized as normal if the body mass index (BMI) and percent body fat (PBF) were normal, at-risk if both indicated overweight or obese, obesity in BMI alone were analyzed as BMI group and those with obesity in percent body fat alone were analyzed as PBF group.
Results
There were 23 (25.5%) in the normal group, 10 (11.1%) in the BMI group, 24 (26.7%) in the PBF group and 33 (36.7%) in the at-risk group. The dietary survey showed that the risk groups had lower consumption frequencies of vegetables (p < 0.05) than the normal group, had less sleep time (p < 0.05) and higher frequency of fast food consumption (p < 0.001). The intake of vegetables was significantly higher in the normal group than in the risk group (p < 0.05). In terms of the daily nutrient intake, there was no significant difference in energy intake according to the obesity risk, but the intakes of dietary fiber (p < 0.01), vitamin A (p < 0.01), vitamin C (p < 0.01) were higher in the normal group than in the risk groups.
Conclusion
Therefore, it is important to consider the BMI and percent body fat together to diagnose obesity and provide nutrition education and counseling.

Keyword

obesity; students; body mass index