Factors influencing eating behavior of Benghazi University students

Authors

  • Souad Farag El-Mani Lecturer, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6925-125X
  • Reima M. Mansour PhD Student, School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Sydney, Australia
  • Amna E Abdessamad Student, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya
  • Etchomaly A. Al-Abbar Student, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya
  • Nour Shallouf Student, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya
  • Randa Amer Student, Department of Nutrition, Faculty of Public Health, Benghazi University, Benghazi, Libya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v11i4.26464

Keywords:

University students, BMI, Diet change, Eating behavior, Factors influencing eating behavior

Abstract

Background: University students are more exposed to new individual and environmental influences. This transition period is considered as a risky life phase because it’s characterized by changing in physical and social status as well as changing in the lifestyle that will affect the eating behavior of students.

Aims and Objectives: The current study aimed to determine the factors influencing the eating behaviors of Benghazi University students.

Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was undertaken for a period from January to May 2019 in Benghazi University. Samples of 300 students were requested to fill out a questionnaire. SPSS was used to analyze the data.

Results: After starting university, (64%) of students stated that they had a change in eating behavior and (59%) of participants reported unhealthy eating pattern. About (67%) of students had a sedentary lifestyle with the majority of them were having unhealthy eating patterns (P value = 0.000). According to the BMI the majority of students had normal weight (62.6%). About (80%) of student reported that the lack of time to prepare a healthy meal during study period was effective and More than half of the students reported that inaccessibility of healthy food, student’s positive emotions, poor knowledge of healthy food, and stress associated with exams period were effective. There was a statistical difference between student’s eating patterns and poor knowledge, lack of time, stress, body weight concerns, negative emotions, peer pressure, lack of parental control, mass media and social life (P value < 0.05).

Conclusion: This study concluded that the majority of students undergo a negative shift in their eating and lifestyle after starting university, and there is statistical difference between many factors and student’s eating pattern.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.
Abstract
1001
PDF
1393
Cover 11(4)

Downloads

Published

2020-07-01

How to Cite

El-Mani, S. F., Mansour, R. M., Abdessamad, A. E., Al-Abbar, E. A., Shallouf, N., & Amer, R. (2020). Factors influencing eating behavior of Benghazi University students. Asian Journal of Medical Sciences, 11(4), 20–29. https://doi.org/10.3126/ajms.v11i4.26464

Issue

Vol. 11 No. 4 (2020)

Section

Original Articles

License

Authors who publish with this journal agree to the following terms:

  1. The journal holds copyright and publishes the work under a Creative Commons CC-BY-NC license that permits use, distribution and reprduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited and is not used for commercial purposes. The journal should be recognised as the original publisher of this work.
  2. Authors are able to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the journal's published version of the work (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgement of its initial publication in this journal.
  3. Authors are permitted and encouraged to post their work online (e.g., in institutional repositories or on their website) prior to and during the submission process, as it can lead to productive exchanges, as well as earlier and greater citation of published work (See The Effect of Open Access).