Keywords
Determinants Eating behaviour University students Focus groups
Background
Prevention of overweight and obesity, and its related diseases , has become a worldwide challenge. According to US literature, university is a critical period for weight gain. During the transition from secondary school to university, students need to adapt to a new environment. When students fail to adapt adequately this could have negative consequences towards their health behaviours and subsequent weight status. Eating behaviour (next to physical activity and sedentary behaviour) is an important factor influencing students’ weight. According to studies conducted in US universities, students were not eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables, and were consuming increasing amounts of high-fat foods. Furthermore, Butler et al. reported significant decreases in the amount of bread and vegetables consumed during the first year of university and significant increases in percentage fat intake and alcohol consumption in US students. Unhealthy eating and excessive alcohol consumption may contribute significantly to energy intake and may therefore facilitate student weight gain. The same pattern of weight gain in university students is emerging in Europe. However, European literature on dietary intake in university students is scarce. In a Greek
KeywordsDeterminants Eating behaviour University students Focus groupsBackgroundPrevention of overweight and obesity, and its related diseases , has become a worldwide challenge. According to US literature, university is a critical period for weight gain. During the transition from secondary school to university, students need to adapt to a new environment. When students fail to adapt adequately this could have negative consequences towards their health behaviours and subsequent weight status. Eating behaviour (next to physical activity and sedentary behaviour) is an important factor influencing students’ weight. According to studies conducted in US universities, students were not eating the recommended amount of fruit and vegetables, and were consuming increasing amounts of high-fat foods. Furthermore, Butler et al. reported significant decreases in the amount of bread and vegetables consumed during the first year of university and significant increases in percentage fat intake and alcohol consumption in US students. Unhealthy eating and excessive alcohol consumption may contribute significantly to energy intake and may therefore facilitate student weight gain. The same pattern of weight gain in university students is emerging in Europe. However, European literature on dietary intake in university students is scarce. In a Greek
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