Nutritional Status of the University Female Students and the Effect of Nutrition Education on it

Abstract

This study was designed to assess food, energy and nutrients intake, body weight, and meal frequency of the university female students; and to find out the effect of nutrition education (NE) on the nutritional status of them. The sample was composed of 320 students aged 17 to 28,163 of them had nutrition education (NEG), and 157 did not (NNEG). For assessment of individual food consumption a 3 day food intake was recorded by using self-administered questionaire. Some of the main findings were as follows : 1 — The means of body weights of NEG and NNEG vvere 53.2±6.2 kg and 55.4±7.3 kg respectively, and the difference \vas significant (p < 0.01). 2— 71.8 % of NEG and 58.6 % of NNEG werc on abnormal weight. The relationship between NE and to be on abnormal weight was significant (p < 0.05). 3 — The average daily consumptions most of the majör food items vvere inadequate, especially milk and milk products, and vegetables. 4 — Consumptions of various food items such as yoghurt, fruit and egg vvere higher in NEG than in NNEG, but not bread. 5 — Levels of daily mean intake of energy, and nearly half of the majör nutrients vvere insufficient to meet nutritional needs in both groups. 6 — Espetially intakes of iron, calcium, vitamin A, riboflavin, and energy vvere under the recommended dietary allovvances. 7 — It vvas found that the relationships betvveen NE and sufficient intakes of animal protein, calcium, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin C vvere statistically significant (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). 8 — The number of meals consumed vvas increased among NEG, and the effect of NE on meal frequency vvas found to be significant (p < 0.01). Although NE seemed to have some significant effects on food habits of the students, it vvas not enough to change food choice behavior and to meet nutritional needs. Thus, education in school alone .vvas not able to change food habits, and attitude tovvard food, and it vvas very aifficult to eliminate the influence of family and the other environmental factors.