Comprehensive assessment of nutritional status in university students

BACKGROUND: The increasing prevalence of nutrition-related disorders among university students, driven by poor dietary habits and high academic workload, warrants special attention. This issue is particularly relevant for medical students, who experience significant psycho-emotional stress during their training. Assessing nutritional status during this period is a crucial aspect of preclinical preventive care, as detected deviations may contribute to chronic diseases, ultimately affecting quality of life and professional performance in future healthcare professionals. AIM: To conduct a comprehensive assessment of the nutritional status of medical university students. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 935 students aged 18–25 years, including an assessment of dietary intake, bioimpedance analysis of body composition, and a questionnaire survey covering dietary habits, meal structure, physical activity, and eating behavior. Statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics 28, including descriptive statistics, normality testing, and significance testing. RESULTS: Dietary imbalances and macronutrient deficiencies were identified among students. The average BMI was within the normal range in 49.05% of female and 43.52% of male students. Bioimpedance analysis revealed statistically significant differences between students from different academic years and between male and female participants. A significant positive correlation was found between body fat percentage and confectionery consumption frequency, BMI and physical activity levels, as well as BMI and eating behavior type. CONCLUSION: The identified negative trends in the nutritional status of medical students, particularly in the context of increasing metabolic disorders and the global obesity epidemic, emphasize the need for implementing comprehensive preventive programs aimed at promoting a healthy lifestyle among students.