Changes in nutritional habits and health behavior of Kaunas universities students over 2000–2010

Aim of the study. To assess the time trends in nutritional habits and their changes during the period 2000-2010 in Kaunas universities first–year students. Objectives : 1. To evaluate food habits of Kaunas universities first-year students. 2. To determine the associations between nutritional habits and social factors. 3. To evaluate the associations of nutritional habits with health behaviour: alcohol consumption,smoking and physical activity. 4. To evaluate the time trends in nutritional habits and health behavior of students during the period 2000 – 2010. Methods. The survey was caried out in 2010. It was a cross - sectional survey, which evaluated Kaunas universities first–year students‘ health behavior peculiarities, self-assessment of health, nutritional habits. A total of 1450 questionnaires were distributed. There were received 1004 filled in questionnaires.The questionnaires were filled-in by 667 females and 337 males. The response rate was 69,2 %.The questionnaire contained 91 questions. Data was stored and analysed using the SPSS statistical Package 13.0 version. Chi-square (χ²) analysis was used to test the statistical significance. The test between compared groups was considered significant if p value was less than 0,05. Results. Women more than men followed healthy eating guidelines. In 2010 38 %. of males and 45.9 % of females consumed fresh vegetables daily. Students' nutritional habits were influenced by the location. The students living with parents nutritional habits were healthier than those who lived in a dormitory. The students living at home more often ate fish, cheese, fresh vegetables, cooked vegetables, fruit, drank more milk. The association between nutritional habits and health beahvior factors was found. Healthier behavior was related to healthier nutritional habits. 74,9 % of non-smokers and 48.6 of smokers indicated that healthy eating had been very important to them. During the last decade (2000-2010 years) health behaviour habits of Kaunas first-year students changed in a favourable direction: reduced the number of smokers and frequent alcohol consumption in males, while females did not change these health behavior factors. The proportion of men having physical activity at least a few times a week decreased 14 %, girls - 4.2 %. Key words: students, nutrition, health behavior