A Study on the Nutrient Intake and Food Habits of College Students in Chung-Nam Area

충남 일부지역 대학생의 식이섭취 및 식습관 실태조사

The study examined nutritional conditions to enhance the quality of meals and to provide the basic data for more proper dietary life of college students. Our analysis was based on the body measurement, food intake and food habits for 200 students of Chung-Nam. The nutrient intake was examined using the 24-hour recall method. The data were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program and then the diet quality was estimated using the Mean Adequacy Ratio(MAR), the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio(NAR) and the Index of Nutritional Quality(INQ). The average weight and height of male students were $67.57{\pm}8.66kg,\;174.64{\pm}5.87cm$, while those of female students were $53.46{\pm}6.86kg,\;159.10{\pm}4.19cm$, respectively. The total energy intake of the male students was $3221.71{\pm}200.39kcal$, while that of the female students was $1884.67{\pm}100.93kcal$. The male students are higher than female in % of RDA. The percentages of carbohydrate, protein and lipid for male students were $57.18{\pm}7.83%,\;15.15{\jpm}3.36%\;and\; 27.67{\pm}6.68%$, while those of female students were $58.77{\pm}7.68%,\;15.51{\pm}4.55%\;and\;25.72{\pm}6.20%$, respectively. There was no significant difference in calcium intakes for both groups, however they are less than the RDA. In terms of iron, the male students took $16.98{\pm}5.57mg$ and the female students took $11.35{\pm}2.68mg$, with significant difference (p<0.001). The male and female students showed sufficient intake of vitamins, with significant difference between two groups except for vitamin A. The mean MAR, an index of overall dietary quality, was significantly higher in the male students than female students(p<0.01). Male and female students enjoying two meals or more a day were 59%, and those having enough time for one meal or less a day were 36.5%. Male and female students having no breakfast were 39%. Male and female students having vegetables intake were 53.5%, and having milk or milk products every day were 29.5% of them. In conclusion, nutritional education is recommended to increase the calcium intake and fruit and vegetable consumption for dietary fiber, and to emphasize regularity of meal time.