PHYSIOLOGICAL AND HYGIENIC ASSESSMENT OF STUDENTS' ACTUAL DIET
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31548/humanhealth.4.2026.81Keywords:
students, nutrients, actual dietary intake, diet, balanced nutritionAbstract
Student nutrition is an important factor in maintaining health; however, actual nutrient intake may not meet physiological requirements.
The aim of the study was to assess the energy value, nutrient composition, and food consumption patterns of students by sex and year of study to identify priorities for individual dietary adjustment.
A total of 172 first- and fourth-year students at Kryvyi Rih National University were examined (41.5% male and 58.5% female). Dietary intake was assessed using the 24-hour dietary recall method. The NutriLifeApp mobile application was used to calculate energy intake and 15 nutrient indicators, compare them with Ukrainian reference values, and assess consumption across seven food groups.
Among female students, mean dietary energy intake decreased from 1,891.0 to 1,801.8 kcal between the first and fourth years (by 4.7%), while iron intake decreased from 18.1 to 12.9 mg (by 28.9%) and vitamin C intake from 68.7 to 64.2 mg. Among male students, energy intake increased from 2,189.2 to 2,457.4 kcal (by 12.3%), fat intake from 75.8 to 98.6 g (by 30.1%), and cholesterol intake from 320.0 to 365.3 mg. Vitamin C intake among male students decreased from 76.8 to 57.8 mg (by 24.8%). In the fourth year, mean calcium intake was 525.4 mg among female students and 571.1 mg among male students. A high level of calcium inadequacy was identified in 57.7% of female students and 45.4% of male students. A high level of iron inadequacy was found in 25.8% of female students and 2.8% of male students; the corresponding figures for vitamin E were 47.3% and 34.8%, and for vitamin C, 48.0% and 36.1%. Excessive energy intake was observed in 28.9% of female students and 50.3% of male students. Male students consumed more meat and meat products than female students (164.2 versus 88.3 g/day), but less fruit (96.4 versus 125.2 g/day).
The NutriLifeApp mobile application was developed to quantitatively assess the nutrient composition of dietary intake.
The findings support individual dietary adjustments, including monitoring energy and fat intake and improving calcium, iron, and vitamins C and E intake. NutriLifeApp may support quantitative dietary assessment and nutritional counseling.
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