Measuring university students' beliefs toward healthy snack selection

Area of Science:

• Nutrition Science
• Behavioral Science
• Public Health

Background:

• Understanding university students' dietary habits is crucial for developing targeted health interventions.
• Healthy eating behaviors, including snack selection, are vital for overall student well-being.
• Identifying beliefs and barriers related to healthy snacking can inform effective health promotion programs.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess undergraduate students' beliefs regarding the selection and consumption of healthy snacks.
• To identify factors influencing students' choices between healthy and unhealthy snack options.
• To provide insights for designing interventions promoting healthier snacking behaviors among university students.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional online survey was administered to 779 undergraduate students living on campus in November 2017.
• Validated survey instruments were used to measure students' beliefs and attitudes toward healthy snack selection.
• Paired and independent t-tests were employed to analyze differences in beliefs by gender and importance.

Main Results:

• Students acknowledged that healthy snacks support good health and aid in weight management.
• Key barriers to healthy snack consumption included perceived lack of time, low motivation, preparation requirements, and unappealing taste.
• Gender differences in belief responses were analyzed using independent t-tests.

Conclusions:

• Interventions should focus on increasing student awareness of food preparation facilities and enhancing culinary skills.
• Boosting motivation and promoting healthy snacks with improved taste profiles may encourage healthier choices.
• Addressing identified barriers is essential for fostering sustainable healthy eating patterns in university populations.