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Socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle-related factors associated with unhealthy diet: a cross-sectional study of university students.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:Food habits are important to promote and maintain good health throughout life, and unhealthy diet is a modifiable and preventable risk factor. University students are a key group of adults among whom to promote healthy lifestyles. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with unhealthy diet in a sample of university students. METHODS:An electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted with university students (n=593) from inland Spain, during the 2016-2017 academic year. The survey collected information on the participants' food habits using an annual food frequency questionnaire. We also collected socioeconomic and demographic data and lifestyle-related information. A multivariate logistic regression was used for analysis. RESULTS:The multivariate logistic regression revealed that the factors associated with an unhealthy diet were: being male, being underweight compared to the reference category (normal weight), having a mother of low socioeconomic status, the family home not being in the university city and, finally, studying a non health-related course CONCLUSION: Among students of the University of Castilla-La Mancha, being male, being underweight, the family home not being in the university city, having a mother of low socioeconomic status, and, finally, not studying a health-related course are the factors associated with a lower quality diet. Following a healthy diet is key in reducing the health costs of non-communicable diseases, and ensuring an acceptable long-term quality of life in populations.

SUBMITTER: Martinez-Lacoba R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6223081 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle-related factors associated with unhealthy diet: a cross-sectional study of university students.

Martinez-Lacoba Roberto R Pardo-Garcia Isabel I Amo-Saus Elisa E Escribano-Sotos Francisco F

BMC public health 20181107 1

<h4>Background</h4>Food habits are important to promote and maintain good health throughout life, and unhealthy diet is a modifiable and preventable risk factor. University students are a key group of adults among whom to promote healthy lifestyles. The aim of this study is to determine the factors associated with unhealthy diet in a sample of university students.<h4>Methods</h4>An electronic cross-sectional survey was conducted with university students (n=593) from inland Spain, during the 2016 ...[more]

PMID: 30404595

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Socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle-related factors associated with unhealthy diet: a cross-sectional study of university students.

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Socioeconomic, demographic and lifestyle-related factors associated with unhealthy diet: a cross-sectional study of university students.

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