A quantitative study to explore the changes in eating habits of university students after they have transitioned into university

Abstract

The transition to university is a changing period in a person’s life, where students are faced with newfound independence that can shift routines and impact dietary habits. A quantitative study was conducted to explore the changes in eating habits among young adults after they have transitioned into university. An online survey was used, recruiting using a self-sampling approach via various social media groups and student chat groups. A total of 65 students participated in this study and the data was analysed using Google Forms; 64.6% were female and 35.4% were male, with the highest proportion aged between 21 and 23 years (43.1%). A substantial percentage of participants consumed two meals per day, which may indicate a shift away from the commonly associated three-meal diet with healthy eating patterns. Furthermore a considerable amount of data shows that students eat less healthily after transitioning to university as opposed to predominantly eating moderately healthy before their transition. Socioeconomic factors heavily influenced food accessibility and preferences, potentially impacting students ability to eat healthily during the transition to university. Overall, the findings and results show the importance of promoting education and awareness on how to eat healthier, moderate, and balanced meals. Interventions and promoting awareness of available services can help students to make informed choices about their well-being and eating habits.