| Abstract [eng] |
Justification. A healthy diet is one of the key factors in the proper functioning of the body. Students are a vulnerable group whose dietary habits often do not comply with healthy eating recommendations. Although dietary supplements are becoming increasingly popular among young people, their use is often based on subjective evaluations rather than on real need or on professional recommendations. In Lithuania, there are hardly any studies on students' consumption habits of combined diets and food supplements. Individual studies have been carried out some time ago, so it is relevant to assess trends and their linkages and to provide new data. The aim of the study is to assess the dietary and supplement consumption habits of students. Objectives of the study: 1. To assess the dietary habits of students. 2. To assess the supplement consumption peculiarities of students. 3. Determine the students' criteria for choosing foods and food supplements. 4. Determine the relationship between students' dietary habits and their food supplement consumption peculiarities. Research methods. The study involved 438 higher education students. The questionnaire survey was conducted between November 2024 and February 2025. The chi-squared (χ²) test plus degrees of freedom (df) was used for statistical analysis of the data. Statistical processing of the data was carried out using „Microsoft Excel 2025“ and „IBM SPSS Statistics“ 30.0.0.0 programmes, a statistically significant result was considered when p < 0.05. Results and conclusions. A third of respondents eat just 1-2 meals a day. Those who are in college and living separately from their parents eat breakfast less often. Fruit and vegetables are most commonly eaten several times a week among respondents. Half of the students choose to eat fish less than once a week. Men are more likely than women to consume meat and fatty foods, while women are more likely to choose sweets. More than half of the students reported that they drink too little water. Almost two thirds of the respondents take food supplements. Respondents who are studying at university or academy are more likely to choose them. More than half of the respondents take vitamins and one third take minerals. 27.4% consume omega-3 fatty acids. The main criteria for choosing food are taste, quality and price. The most important criteria for choosing food supplements were quality, composition and price. Eating breakfast regularly, adopting special dietary restrictions and eating fish are associated with increased use of dietary supplements. |
