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Dietary Practices and Barriers to Adherence to Healthy Eating among King Faisal University Students

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  • Amal Ismael Abdelhafez

    (Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

  • Fahima Akhter

    (Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

  • Abdulrahman Abdulhadi Alsultan

    (College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

  • Sahbanathul Missiriya Jalal

    (Department of Nursing, College of Applied Medical Sciences, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

  • Ayub Ali

    (Department of Family & Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia)

Abstract

Proper dietary practices should be developed during the student years that will continue into the future. This study aimed to identify the eating habits and dietary practices among King Faisal University (KFU) students, explore the barriers to adherence to healthy eating, associate the understanding of healthy diets with students’ characteristics, and determine the association between body mass index (BMI) and awareness of the concept of healthy diets, academic discipline, and enrollment in a nutrition course. In this cross-sectional study, students were selected randomly and a questionnaire was distributed using an electronic platform through KFU email. Out of 564 students, nearly half (45.7%) reported eating snacks as their main food, and some (38.3%) reported eating with their family twice daily. The students rarely reported eating with friends (73%) or eating dates (48.8%). Furthermore, many reported that they were not consuming a balanced diet (42.6%). Some students (46.3%) reported taking breakfast daily, and 49.1% reported eating meals regularly. There was low consumption of vegetables (29.3%) and fruits (26.2%) among the students. The barriers to adherence to healthy eating were the availability of fast food (73.2%), high cost of healthy food (72.7%), limited time (59%), and laziness (57.1%). Statistically significant data indicated that the students with a normal BMI were more aware of the concept of healthy diets, studied medical and applied sciences, and were enrolled in KFU nutrition courses.

Suggested Citation

  • Amal Ismael Abdelhafez & Fahima Akhter & Abdulrahman Abdulhadi Alsultan & Sahbanathul Missiriya Jalal & Ayub Ali, 2020. "Dietary Practices and Barriers to Adherence to Healthy Eating among King Faisal University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(23), pages 1-12, December.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:23:p:8945-:d:454551
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Abdul-Monim Batiha, 2018. "Nutritional Behaviors and Perceived Barriers Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study," Global Journal of Health Science, Canadian Center of Science and Education, vol. 10(12), pages 1-21, December.
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    Cited by:

    1. Ma. Cristina Q. Trinidad, 2023. "Determinants of the Dining Practices of College Students: Basis for the Promotion and Adoption of Sustainable Dining ," GATR Journals gjbssr638, Global Academy of Training and Research (GATR) Enterprise.

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