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A Comparative Study of Nutritional Status, Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) and Dietary Intake between International and Chinese Students in Nanjing, China

Author

Listed:
  • Ijaz Ul Haq

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Zahula Mariyam

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Min Li

    (School of International Education, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Xiaojia Huang

    (School of International Education, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Pan Jiang

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Falak Zeb

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Xiaoyue Wu

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Qing Feng

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

  • Ming Zhou

    (Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health, Nanjing Medical University, Longmian Avenue 101, Nanjing 211166, China)

Abstract

University students tend to have poor dietary practices, which ultimately affect their nutritional status. International students are becoming more prevalent in China. The current study aimed to compare the nutritional status, knowledge attitude and practices (KAP) and dietary intake between international and Chinese students in China. A comparative study was conducted in undergraduate students of Nanjing Medical University aged 17–31 years including 308 international and 393 Chinese students. Data was collected by self-administered questionnaire. Body composition was detected by bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA). Student t-test and chi square test were used for comparison. Linear regressions were used for association of nutritional status with determinants. The prevalence of overweight and obesity in international student was higher than Chinese students. International male and female students were having significantly ( p < 0.05) high BMI and percent body fats than Chinese male and female students. Nutritional KAP scores of Chinese students was significantly ( p < 0.05) higher than international students. As for diet consumption, daily milk consumption was high in international students while daily egg and weekly fish and meat consumption were found more in Chinese students. Fast foods and carbonated drinks weekly consumption was significantly ( p < 0.001) high in international students. After adjusted for age, gender, education, sleeping duration and physical exercise, the inverse association of nutritional KAP with BMI remained significant. Our data indicate that international students had more percent body fats, less nutritional KAP scores and unhealthy dietary habits than Chinese students. Proper nutrition education and guidance for improving good habits and nutritional status is suggested for international students.

Suggested Citation

  • Ijaz Ul Haq & Zahula Mariyam & Min Li & Xiaojia Huang & Pan Jiang & Falak Zeb & Xiaoyue Wu & Qing Feng & Ming Zhou, 2018. "A Comparative Study of Nutritional Status, Knowledge Attitude and Practices (KAP) and Dietary Intake between International and Chinese Students in Nanjing, China," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(9), pages 1-11, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:15:y:2018:i:9:p:1910-:d:167340
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Tomislav Krističević & Lovro Štefan & Goran Sporiš, 2018. "The Associations between Sleep Duration and Sleep Quality with Body-Mass Index in a Large Sample of Young Adults," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 15(4), pages 1-10, April.
    2. Linde Van Lee & Ai-Ru Chia & See Ling Loy & Marjorelee Colega & Elaine K. H. Tham & Shirong Cai & Fabian Yap & Keith M. Godfrey & Oon Hoe Teoh & Daniel Goh & Kok Hian Tan & Yap-Seng Chong & Birit F. P, 2017. "Sleep and Dietary Patterns in Pregnancy: Findings from the GUSTO Cohort," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 14(11), pages 1-14, November.
    3. Walid El Ansari & Gabriele Berg-Beckhoff, 2015. "Nutritional Correlates of Perceived Stress among University Students in Egypt," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 12(11), pages 1-13, November.
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    Cited by:

    1. Dorota Ortenburger & Dariusz Mosler & Iuliia Pavlova & Jacek Wąsik, 2021. "Social Support and Dietary Habits as Anxiety Level Predictors of Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(16), pages 1-14, August.

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