• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.439-453
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• 2023

Purpose: Concerns about accelerated aging are regularly being discussed. This study analyzed the dietary status and nutritional intake of college students who are about to enter their 30s and 40s. We further suggest ways to eat healthily. Methods: Totally, 67 students attending Daegu Catholic University were provided with a three-day meal record and analyzed. Results: The average demographics of the subjects were as follows: age 23.2 ± 2.0 years, height 165.1 ± 9.0 cm, weight 65.4 ± 13.6 kg, and BMI 23.5 ± 3.9 kg/m². Overall, 76.3% of the subjects skipped breakfast. The food intake evaluation according to the food group intake pattern and the recommended number of servings determined that 38.3% of the subjects did not consume fruits and dairy products (GMVFDS = 111001), and both men and women lacked all food groups. Analysis of the nutrient intake state revealed lesser nutrient intake than the estimated energy need. Evaluation of the %RDA found that consumption of phosphorus was above the recommended amount, whereas all other nutrients were below the recommended amount. Men had a higher intake rate of phosphorus (p < 0.01), iron (p < 0.001), and sodium (p < 0.05) than women, whereas the intake rate of dietary fiber was higher in women (p < 0.05). Evaluation of the food intake by 22 food categories revealed that intake of regular grains was more in men than in women (p < 0.05) whereas women consumed significantly more mixed grains (p< 0.01). In protein foods, men consumed more meat (p < 0.01), while women consumed more eggs (p < 0.05) and beans (p < 0.05). Evaluating the fruit intake, juices were more frequently consumed by men than by women (p < 0.05). No differences were obtained in food intake and nutrient intake status according to obesity. Conclusion: Based on these results, there is an urgent requirement for attention and support for university cafeterias in order to induce changes in the eating habits of college students. Among other initiatives, this can be achieved by providing diet improvement programs and menus that consider food preferences.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.12
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• pp.1856-1864
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient intake status of university students in Chuncheon area (175 males and 131 females). This study was conducted by employing a self-administered questionnaire. Dietary assessment was measured by a 24-h recall method. The average height and weight of male students were $175.2{\pm}6.2cm$ and $68.2{\pm}9.9kg$, respectively. For female students, average values were $161.7{\pm}5.2cm$ and $55.1{\pm}6.5kg$, respectively. The mean BMIs for both male and female students were 22.2 and 21.1, respectively. In both male and female students, the rate of skipping breakfast was high. Daily averages for energy, carbohydrates, protein, and fat intakes in male students were significantly higher than those of female students (P<0.001). For male students, protein, vitamin B1, P, Fe, and Na were above recommended nutrient intake and adequate intake, whereas for female students, they were protein, vitamin A, P, and Na. For male students, nutrient intakes for Ca, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, and vitamin $B_6$ were below the estimated average requirement (EAR) by at least 50% or more, whereas for female students, they were vitamin C, Fe, vitamin $B_6$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin, folate, and Ca. Ca was alarmingly low, with more than 75% of both male and female students showing levels below the EAR. Therefore, it is important that nutritional education be facilitated for college students to take responsibility of their own health through learning about nutrient intake as well as developing positive eating habits.