Nutrition and nourishment status of Polish students in comparison with students from other countries

Although Poland belongs to the economically developed countries, social transformations affect people's incomes and, consequently, their diets, what in many cases caused development of diet-related diseases. Results of epidemiological studies among students show symptoms of certain civilization diseases.

The aim of this study was to compare the intake of nutrients by Polish students in our study with the nutrients intake by students from other university centres abroad and the determination of the direct impact on health parameters of educated people.

The study involved 329 Polish students. The dietary information was collected by interview on food intake during the last 24 hours. The index of BMI and WHR were calculated using anthropometric method. 27 nutrients, dietary fibre and daily total cholesterol intake with the computer program "Dietetyk 2" (National Food and Nutrition Institute, Warsaw, Poland).

Both women and men consume inadequate amounts of milk and dairy products, fruits, vegetables, vitamin C and iron. The average daily intake of vitamin C and iron was below the standard of nutrition. Diets in men was characterized by excessive content of meat and in women sucrose. 35% of the students surveyed were overweight or obese. There was a lot of irregularities in the diet of both women and men, but men's diet was more balanced in terms of nutrient content than the diet of women.

The delivery of thiamine, riboflavin, calcium, and vitamin C is less in Polish students than in other populations compared. Nutritional mistakes and dietary habits during studies can influence the development of disease in young educated people.