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Updated: Jun 3, 2025

Assessment of Social Transmission of Food Preferences Behaviors
Published on: January 25, 2018
Food Behavior and Lifestyle Among Students: The Influence of the University Environment
Calin Avram1, Victoria Nyulas1, Danusia Onisor2
1Department of Medical Informatics and Biostatistics, George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science and Technology of Targu Mures, Gheorghe Marinescu Street No. 38, 540136 Targu Mures, Romania.
Introduction:
A key element for a healthy lifestyle in the formative years of a young adult is a balanced, healthy, individualized diet.
Aim:
The aim of this study was to analyze the eating behavior and lifestyles of students at a university in Romania, as well as the extent to which the study program interferes with these factors.
Methods:
A retrospective study was performed, with the data being collected through an online questionnaire via the Google Forms platform; data collection for the current study was carried out in November 2024 during a student session.
Results:
Out of the total of 501 questionnaires collected, 416 were completed by women and 85 by men. It can be observed that 57.65% of men (49 participants) eat three meals a day compared to 53.13% of women (221 participants). The university program influenced the students' meal schedules for 59.88% (n = 300) of participants, while 30.94% (n = 155) declared that they never have an ordered meal schedule. For 39.92% of students, the exam period has an influence on the meal schedule, including an increase the intake of sweet foods (59.88%), and some declared that they forget to eat (33.93%).
Conclusions:
The food and lifestyle behaviors in the studied group show health risk elements, especially an increase in tobacco consumption, a lack of regular meal schedules, and the consumption of an excess of unhealthy snacks. It was found that intensive study schedules may intensify this behavior.
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