An investigation into the eating behaviour of international students studying at an Australian university: should we be concerned?

Abstract

This quantitative study provides a snapshot of the eating behaviour of more than 300 international students studying across four campuses of an Australian university. It explores what the students are eating and drinking, their knowledge of nutrition, the extent to which they prepare their own food or rely on fast food and if their behaviour is related to demographic factors. The study also determines how prepared these students are to take care of their dietary and nutritional requirements and what higher education institutions can do to facilitate better eating practices, such as providing nutritional advice and cooking classes.

• academic performance
• eating behaviour
• international students
• nutrition
• student support

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to acknowledge the invaluable assistance of Alison Hensley throughout this study.