EATING BEHAVIOUR OF INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS IN UKRAINE

Abstract

The aim: Investigate the eating behaviour of international students in Ukraine. Materials and methods: A cross-sectional quantitative research approach was taken in conducting this study. 193 international students (98 males, 95 females) filled the questionnaire assessing their diet for the past 7 days, perceived changes made to their diet since their arrival to Ukraine, knowledge of healthy dietary habits, and perceived barriers to maintaining a healthy diet. At the time of this study, the students were between the ages of 18 and 36 years, of 11 nationalities, and enrolled at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in 12 Ukrainian tertiary institutions. Results: Assessment of the students' diet quality reveals that 75.1% of the students consume fruits at least 2 times/day and 73.1% consume vegetables at least 3 times/day. More students consume poultry daily and fish at least twice a week than beef and pork daily. More than half of the students consume starchy foods, mostly rice daily. Only 7.3% of the students consume up to 1 alcoholic beverage daily. Gender significantly affects the consumption of alcohol, dairy products, low fat milk and milk products, and marginally affects beef and dark chocolate. 95 % of the student have made changes to their diet since coming to Ukraine. Conclusions: The dietary behaviour of international students in Ukraine is characterized by: high consumption of fruits and vegetables, high intake of lean meats and fish, higher consumption of unsaturated fats and oils than saturated ones, and low consumption of soft and alcoholic drinks.