Living place significance for Kaunas first year university student habits

Aim of the study: Investigate students eating habits and availability for healthy nutrition. Objectives: Compare students nutritional habits by comparing their place of living; Find out students nutritional habits that are living in student flats. also eat nearby catering places; Evaluate students that live in Kaunas city of students flats possibility to prepare meals. Methods. Data from 2010 Kohortinis European students living habits was used for Nutritional habits comparison by living place. Anonymous survey was conducted in six Kaunas city Universities. 1031 students returned filled questionnaires (477 males and 554 females), 81,2 percent as first year students. Males formed 46,3 percent, females - 53,7 percent. Students nutritional conditions anonymous survey was conducted November-March 2012-2013 in eight Kaunas city Universities (LSMU, KTU, ASU, LSU, VDU, VUKH, ISM). During research n=199 first year students were questioned (84 males and 115 females), males formed 42,2 percent, females 57,8 percent regardless of subject they are studying. Questionnaire was conducted from questions about respondents nutritional habits also subjective conditions nutrition evaluation in University flats and University surrounding area. Results. 52,3 percent of male and 57,2 percent female students are renting apartment. Students living with their families (68,4 percent), renting an apartment or living in a dormitory (69,3 percent) said that healthy eating is important for them. Frequency of eating meat, meat products, fish and fish products doesn’t depend on the living condition. Fresh vegetables, fruit, milk and its products, chicken were eaten more often by students who live with their parents. 8 percent male students and 2,9 percent female students eat fast food every day. Girls living in the dormitory are eating more sweets than those living with parents. Food offered in university cafeteria, in students opinion, is not healthy, 53 percent of males and 62 percent females thinks so. Breakfast, lunch and dinner most of the students eat in their student flats. Every second student usually eats food prepared by a parent and brought back to student accommodation every week, later on food is preheated and eaten in the student flat by 45,2 percent of males and 34,8 percent of females. Every second girl said that there is not enough equipment required for proper cooking. Main reason why students are not preparing food by themselves – lack of free time, and also not hygienic environment in the kitchen. Most of the students kitchens common order in university student flats does not satisfy . Conclusions. Students nutrition and nutritional habits does not suit recommendations of healthy eating. Students living with their family are eating healthier than those who are living in the dormitory. More than half of students were dissatisfied with the food suggested by university‘s canteen. Similar part of respondents said that they are not satisfied with common kitchen order and that kitchens are missing required equipment