Preliminary investigation of nutritional intake among female university students using the brief-type...

This study examines the dietary intake and eating habits of female university students and compares key nutritional indicators according to the body mass index (BMI) categories and adequacy of estimated energy requirements.

Dietary surveys were conducted among 50 female nursing students using the brief-type self-administered diet history questionnaire (BDHQ). Participants were classified into BMI categories (underweight group, n=7; normal-weight group, n=41) and energy-intake adequacy groups based on estimated energy requirements (inadequate energy intake group, n=43; adequate/excess energy intake group, n=7). Nutrient intake status was examined between energy intake adequacy groups, with additional consideration of the BMI categories.

No significant differences in energy or macronutrient intake were observed between BMI-based groups (p>0.05). In contrast, when comparing energy intake adequacy, 88.4% of the participants in the inadequate energy intake group had insufficient carbohydrate intake, and their intakes of protein, vitamin C, iron, and folate were lower than those in the adequate/excess energy intake group (all p<0.05).

Among female university students, no group differences were detected based on BMI alone. However, in the inadequate energy intake group, marked inadequacies were observed in the intake of nutrients. These findings indicate that dietary problems cannot be captured solely by BMI and require individualized nutritional counseling.

Nutritional assessment of female university students should incorporate BMI and adequacy of energy intake relative to estimated energy requirements, with individualized approaches tailored to each student.