Assessment of Lifestyle and Dietary Habits and its Effect on Psychological Health Among University Students

Abstract

Admission to the university is a new stage in a student's life that is typically related with freedom, jovial activities, and lifestyle changes and behavior entailing eating habits. Objective: To look into university students' lifestyles and significant dietary habits. Methods: A Cross-Sectional study was conducted at the University of Lahore for a 4-month duration with a sample size of 100 students by using Global sleep assessment questionnaire (GSAQ) and Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K10). Results: Analysis of the students' dietary habits held between 50-day scholars and 50 hostelites, revealed the adoption of several undesired dietary habits. 10% of hostelites are underweight while in comparison percentage of day scholar is 5% less, 34% are normal, 7% overweight and 4% are obese in contrast of hostelites whose percentages are 32%, 5% and 3% respectively. The percentage of daily meal consumption is higher that of hostelites. 28℅ of day scholars were having snacks while 29℅ of hostelites were having snacks. Conclusions: This study revealed the challenges that university students experience in maintaining a healthy lifestyle nutritionally, especially when they live in hostels.