Positive and negative trends in university students' food intake

In the time period 1992-2004 the food intake data (24 hour recall, frequency questionnaire) in 3 417 students of Medical Faculty Comenius University in Bratislava (1257 men and 2160 women, the mean age 22.38 +/- 1.34) were obtained. The aim of this study was to evaluate the food intake and its trends in university students. Students' food consumption has not been in agreement with recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). The meat consumption was structurally unbalanced, though quantitatively sufficient (99% RDA); milk intake (75% RDA) was insufficient, fruit (65% RDA) and vegetable intake (62% RDA) even critical. On contrary, cereal products intake was excessive (130% RDA). Men eat more meat (p < 0.001), milk (p < 0.001), eggs (p < 0.01), cereals (p < 0.001) and fat (p < 0.001) than women. Women eat more fruit, vegetable and sugar than men. In the time period 1992-2004, students' meat consumption has decreased about 18%, milk and eggs about 23%, fruit about 42% and cereals intake has decreased about 45%. The fruit and vegetable intake structure has substantially improved (higher content of fresh fruit, fewer preserved products). In spite of a higher health awareness in students and tendency towards proper diet, their food intake has been negatively influenced by decreasing purchasing power in Slovak population (Tab. 2, Fig. 1, Ref. 15).