Study of the Dietary Intake of Cadets from the National Military University “Vasil Levski” - Part I

Abstract

The study was conducted in the period July - September 2017 at the National Military University "Vasil Levski” - Veliko Tarnovo, Republic of Bulgaria. The subject of the research is the provision of free food as an integral part of the full state support of the students at the National Military University "Vasil Levski". The subject of the study is the impact of objective social, biological, economic and other factors in the dietary intake of male and female students at the National Military University "Vasil Levski” The working hypothesis of the study is that the popularity of the "fast food” concept, the economic difficulties associated with buying high-quality food resulting from the low income levels of the students’ families, the marketing strategies of food traders and the biological characteristics of each individual have largely shaped the habits and the perception of nutrition of the students before enrolling at the National Military University "Vasil Levski". This, in turn, implies that the existing nutrition norms should be adapted to the consumers in line with the basic principles of nutrition science. The study is conducted at the National Military University "Vasil Levski", Veliko Tarnovo. Cadets at the “Land Forces” Faculty - region of Veliko Tarnovo and “Artillery, Air Defense and Communication and Information Systems” Faculty - region of Shoumen are provided with food from the same menu and with uniform food prices. Peculiarities based on religious grounds and vegetarianism which are not in line with the science of nutrition and the principles of army nutrition are not taken into consideration