Food consumption patterns of female undergraduate students in the United Arab Emirates

R. G. Cooper
U. Al-Alami, Zayed University

Document Type

Article

Source of Publication

West African Journal of Medicine

Publication Date

1-1-2011

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Studies on food intake in the UAE especially in relation to the student life are lacking. OBJECTIVE: To investigate eating habits of undergraduate students. METHODS: A cohort of 146 undergraduate students studying Physiology at Zayed University completed a semi-structured questionnaire. A student response was accepted for analysis only those weeks with adequate responses not more than six. RESULTS: The mean student age was 19.28 (1.22) years with a minimum-maximum 18-23 years. The mean weight was 56.67(13.31) with a minimum-maximum of 40-89 kg. Of 1,250 United Arab Emirates Dirham; 10 indicated they worked but did not specify income; and three were married. More foods were consumed seven times in a week. Amongst the principal foods consumed were: bread, cereal, starch; white bread, cornflakes and rice; fruits - apple, banana and orange; vegetables - cucumber, tomato and lettuce; meat - fish, chicken and beef; and eggs and dairy - (milk, cheese and yoghurt). CONCLUSION: Dubai female undergraduates have a height intake of milk and fruits and less fanciful breads. Further studies should measure the exact quantity/mass of foods consumed per week.

ISSN

0189-160X

Publisher

West African Journal of Medicine

Volume

30

Issue

1

First Page

42

Last Page

46

Disciplines

Environmental Sciences | Medicine and Health Sciences

Keywords

Food, Nutrition, Students, UAE, Undergraduate, University

Scopus ID

80053301921

Indexed in Scopus

yes

Open Access

yes

Open Access Type

Gold: This publication is openly available in an open access journal/series

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