Peculiarities of nutrition and physical activity habits among students of lithuanian higher education schools and information sources influencing these peculiarities

The relevance of the study. Numbers of chronic diseases keeps growing in Lithuania annually. Chronic diseases might be caused by nutrition and physical activity habits. It is widely known that most habits of the lifestyle are being formed during study years. It is important to ensure right and professional information sources for students about benefits of appropriate nutrition habits and physical activity. The aim of the study. To outline peculiarities of physical activity, nutrition habits and information sources influencing these peculiarities among students of VU Faculty of Medicine and LEU Faculty of Sports and Health Education. The objective of the study. Determine and describe physical activity of students of VU and LEU; Evaluate nutrition habits, diet and fluids intake by gender and cultivated sports among students of VU and LEU; Determine influence of information sources on physical activity and nutrition habits by gender and cultivated sports among students of VU and LEU; Evaluate physical activity and nutrition habits relationship with the assessment of health among students of VU and LEU. Methods. Data was collected from 278 I - IV year full time students of VU and LEU using anonymous questionnaires. Statistical analysis was conducted using “IBM SPSS Statistics v.22.0”. Categorical dataset was analyzed by calculating chi squared statistic (χ2), Fisher’s exact test (F) and relation between variables was described using Cramer’s V coefficient. Results. 78.8 % of students assessed their health as well or very well, 48.7 % of students are not sufficiently physical active and have poor nutrition habits. Although 76.5 % of respondents eat 3 times per day it is done irregularly. Intake frequency of fresh fruits and vegetables is 5 – 7 times a week but only 5.8 % of students eat more than 400 grams of fresh fruits and vegetables a day. More than a half of respondent’s (particularly women) intake of wholegrain products, milk, fish and its products is deficient as well as water and other drinks. Men consume more adverse health products compeered with women. 87.4 % of students gather information about nutrition and 85.6 % about physical activity from the internet. Most of the students think they have enough information although qualified information about nutrition and physical activity is needed. Conclusions. Students assessed their health as well or very well although compared with recommendations they are not sufficiently physical active and have unsatisfying nutrition habits. Most of the information about nutrition and physical activity are mostly gathered from the internet by students despite that it is not enough to convince students to be physical active and have prorate nutrition habits