Knowledge of the students of the University of Osijek about theinfluence of nutrition on health

Uvod: Pravilna prehrana koja se temelji na znanstvenim spoznajama, omogućuje duži, zdraviji i kvalitetniji život pojedinca ili populacije. Pravilna prehrana osigurava optimalan omjer bjelančevina, ugljikohidrata i masti. Izuzetno je važna za fizički i psihički razvoj mladih ljudi, posebice studenata koji su tijekom studija izloženi većem stresu i psihološkom naporu. Manje se vremena posvećuju onome što jedemo, kuha se minimalno, a većinom se hrani brzom hranom. Danas mnogi ljudi imaju loše socioekonomske uvjete života te su prisiljeni kupovati jeftiniju i manje kvalitetniju hranu. Mnoge bolesti i stanja moguće je prevenirati ili barem umanjiti posljedice pravovremenom promjenom prehrane i životnih navika. Ciljevi istraživanja: Utvrditi socioekonomska i sociodemografska obilježja studenata, njihove prehrambene navike, status uhranjenosti te znanje o utjecaju prehrane na zdravlje. Materijali i metode: Istraživanje je obuhvatilo 412 studenata diplomskih studija Sveučilišta J.J. Strossmayera Osijek te je provedeno putem online anonimnog anketnog upitnika od 22.svibnja do 10.lipnja 2019. Rezultati: Studenti općenito izjavljuju da se hrane i da žive zdravo. Ispitanici koji žive u domu najrjeđe doručkuju u odnosu na ostale ispitanike dok ispitanici koji žive s roditeljima češće konzumiraju voće i povrće u odnosu na ispitanike koji su naveli opciju ''ostalo''. Ispitanici s Medicinskog fakulteta, Fakulteta za dentalnu medicinu i zdravstvo , Prehrambeno-tehnološkog i Fakulteta agrobiotehničkih znanosti postižu značajno više rezultate na pitanjima o znanju. Zaključak: Većina studenata ima dobre prehrambene navike te zdravo žive. Znanje o povezanosti prehrane i zdravlja je dobra te je vidljivo da studenti zdravstvenih fakulteta te oni koji žive u gradu ili prigradskom naselju imaju bolje znanje u odnosu na ostale ispitanike.Introduction: Proper nutrition based on scientific knowledge leads to a longer, healthier and higher quality life of an individual or population. It ensures an optimal ratio of proteins, carbohydrates and fats. It is extremely important for the physical and psychological development of young people, especially students who are exposed to higher stress level and psychological strain during their studies. Less time is devoted to what one eats, one cooks minimally and usually eats fast food. Many people today live in poor socioeconomic conditions. That is why they are forced to buy cheap and low quality food. Many illnesses and conditions can be prevented or at least their consequences reduced through timely changes in diet and the way of living. Aims of the study: Determine the socioeconomic and sociodemographic characteristics of students, their eating habits, nourishment status and their knowledge on the impact of nutrition on health. Materials and methods: The survey included 412 graduate students of University J.J. Strossmayer Osijek and was conducted through an online anonymous questionnaire from May 22 – June 10, 2019. Results: Students generally declare that they eat and live healthy. Students living in student homes have breakfast the most rarely, compared to other students; while students who live with their parents consume fruits and vegetables more often than the students who chose the option “other”. Students of the Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Faculty of Dental Medicine and Health Osijek, Faculty of Food Technology Osijek and Faculty of Agro-biotechnical Sciences Osijek scored significantly higher on questions relating to knowledge about healthy diet and eating habits. Conclusion: Most students have good eating habits and live healthy. Knowledge about the connection between nutrition and health is good and it is evident that students of health faculties and those who live in a city or suburban areas have better knowledge than other examinees