ASSESSMENT OF NUTRITION RELATED LIFE STYLE PATTERNS OF FEMALE STUDENTS IN AHVAZ UNIVERSITIES DORMITORIES

In this research nutritional practice, health related habits and hematological indices of 200 female students with mean age of 21.4 ± 1.8 were assessed. Information negarding food frequency, socioeconomic, healthy habits, anthropometric, medical histories and clinical questionnaires were collected. Results showed that only 5% of students consumed one or more servings of dairy products and 6% of them eat one or more servings of meats daily. By scoring on the basis of the food guide pyramid, only 57% of subjects had good nutritional practices, and the average score of the nutrition students was 3 points more than the other students’ scores (19.5 vs 16.5, p <0.01). Under weight rate was observed in 12% of students and anemia was prevalent in 16% of them. Mid arm circumference and BMI of subjects were significantly correlated (r = 0.79, P<0.01). Forty six percent of the students had not enough information about the food groups and 53% of them did not know that women are nutritionally at risk. One-half of subjects had dental carries and 30% had low appetite. Moreover, 20% of girls normally did have breakfast daily. Thirty eight percent of students have complained of insufficient sleeping time. The findings of this sludy revealed that the female students need more basic education nutrixtion and some dietary modifications and in about half of them the nutrition quality was low. Nutrition students can help the other students in improving their nutritional status.