Selected aspects of dietary habits and physical activity of students at the Biotechnical faculty, Slovenia

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the influence of joining university on dietary habits, intake of food, and physical activity of students at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. Overall, 226 students (82.3% female) self-evaluated their dietary habits and their physical activity before and after starting university. A change in dietary habits was evident for the majority of the students (female: 74.7%; male: 67.5%). After starting their studies, ~20% of students consumed less fruits and vegetables, and only 28.8% and 15.5% of the students consumed fresh fruit and fresh vegetables, respectively, more than once a day. Female students were more likely to prepare home-cooked meals (almost 50%; at least 4 times a week), while male students were more likely to eat in restaurants with subsidised meals. Approximately 70% of the students reported negative changes in their motor skills after starting university and of these, 90% also reported negative change in their dietary habits, as evidenced by higher consumption of savoury snacks and lower consumption of fresh vegetables. Since our results show a negative influence of joining university on dietary habits and physical activity, more attention needs to be paid to the critical factors involved.

Keywords:

• dietary habits
• physical activity
• university students
• lifestyle
• subsidised meal

Acknowledgments

This study is part of the programmes P4-0234 ‘Integrated food technology and nutrition’, funded by the Slovenian Research Agency (ARRS).

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This research received no external funding.

Notes on contributors

Saša Piskernik

Saša Piskernik is a Teaching Assistant at the Department of Food Science and Technology at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. She participates in teaching in various subjects, such as Basic Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Food Habits, Life Cycle Nutrition, Nutrition Planning, Alternative Nutrition and Current Issues in Nutrition. She participates in research projects in the fields of food science and nutrition.

Jelena Juretić Grlica

Jelena Juretić Grlica studied Nutrition and obtained a Master's degree in Nutrition at the Biotechnical faculty, University of Ljubljana. As part of her academic work, she researched nutrition and physical activity trends among students at the Biotechnical faculty, University of Ljubljana. She has transitioned into a role within a prominent nutritional supplements company, where she currently works in the regulatory department. In this role, she skilfully coordinates product declarations for various global markets, demonstrating her expertise and commitment to her field.

Janez Salobir

Janez Salobir is a researcher at the University of Ljubljana, Biotechnical Faculty, Department of Animal Science. He teaches the subjects: Basic Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Physiology of Nutrition, Functional Foods and Nutraceutics, Special Nutrition. His scientific work focuses on the influence of natural and synthetic antioxidants, phytochemicals, vitamin E isomers, fats, cereals, fruits and vegetables and toxins on oxidative stress also in animals as a model for human nutrition and the impact of animal nutrition on the quality and functionality of animal products. He has participated in national and international research projects. He is author and co-author of 50 WoS publications with 825 citations in WoS databases. HI = 16 (WoS).

Milan Pavič

Milan Pavič is a lecturer at the Biotechnical Faculty of the University of Ljubljana. He teaches physical education as a compulsory extracurricular activity and physical education as an ECTS elective. He also coaches students representing the Biotechnical Faculty at University of Ljubljana championships and international championships. He is a training manager at the Slovenian Table Tennis Federation. He has observed the changes in physical activity and eating habits during the transition from high school to university.

Tanja Pajk Žontar

Assistant Professor Tanja Pajk Žontar is a lecturer in Basic Nutrition, Human Nutrition, Life Cycle Nutrition and Nutrition Status, Alternative Nutrition and Current Issues in Nutrition at the Department of Food Science and Technology, Biotechnical Faculty in Ljubljana. She is the head of the Human Nutrition Group at the Biotechnical Faculty. Her research interests are dietary habits, nutrition for the elderly, fatty acids in unconventional oils and consumer perception. She is a member of numerous national working groups (e.g. Working Group on Creating a Model for Nutritional Profiling of Food in Slovenia, Consortium for Safe Food, Working Group on Nutrition and Health Claims and New Foods, Working Group on Restricting Marketing of Food for Children, Working Group on Reformulation of Food, Working Group on Nutrition in Kindergartens and Schools).