Dietary Habits of University Students Living at Home or at University Dorm: A Cross-Sectional Study in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Living with the family at home or away from it at the university dorm might affect the behavior of students, including their dietary habits. The aim of this study was to assess the differences in dietary habits between Saudi undergraduate students living with their families and those living at university dorms.METHODS: A cross-sectional study done at six Saudi universities. We recruited 354 undergraduate students. A self-administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habits, physical activities, perceived body weight and gastro-intestinal symptoms. Differences between students living at home with their families and those living on campus at university dorms were assessed using the chi-squared test. RESULTS: Three quarters of our sample were female (77%). Almost 80% of the students lived with their families. Change in dietary habits after joining the university was significantly more common among students living at university dorms (p< 0.001). Major changes in dietary habits were found in 68.6% of students living at home with their families and in 31.4% of those living at university dorms. Moreover, we found significant difference between students living with their families and those living at university dorms, regarding place of breakfast (p= 0.003), place of lunch (p< 0.001), place of dinner (p= 0.002) and perceived body weight (p= 0.018).CONCLUSIONS & RECOMMENDATIONS: Most of the students were living with their families. However, students living at university dorms were at higher risk of unhealthy change in their dietary habits. More nutritional interventions to enhance the health of students should be introduced.

Comparison of Nutritional Status Between University Students Living at Dormitory and Students Living at Home.

“…This finding was consistent with Alghamid and et al, study; researchers found that students living at six Saudi Universities dorms (King Abdulaziz University, King Khalid University, King Saud University, King Faisal University, Umm Al-Qura University, and King Fahd University) were at higher risk after joining the university resulting into unhealthy dietary habits. Moreover, more than a half of the students living at university dorms reported main changes in dietary habits (17). Also, this study finding is similar to the findings from other studies.…”

Sugar-Sweetened Beverages Consumption and Its Association with Body Mass Index among College Students Living in Dormitory

“…Respondents in this study were living away from home. One study in Saudi found that compared to college students living with families, students living in dormitory students have a higher risk of unhealthy dietary habits (Alghamdi et al, 2018). It might be due to their role as the primary decisionmaker for their food and beverage.…”

Perceptions and determinants of adopting sustainable eating behaviours among university students in Canada: a qualitative study using focus group discussions

“…Young adults are in a critical stage of their lives in terms of developing long-lasting eating habits (Arnett, 2000), particularly university students who are going through a transition and are often known to have poor and unhealthy dietary habits (Alghamdi et al , 2018; Deforche et al , 2015; Michels et al , 2019; Niemeier et al , 2006; Sharma et al , 2018). The transition to university often disrupts young adults’ regular eating patterns, resulting in less healthy diets (Maillet and Grouzet, 2021).…”