Being a Substantial Out of Home Eater: Affecting Factors and Evidence on Daily Nutritional Intake Among University Students

Abstract

In this cross-sectional study, it was aimed to investigate the factors affecting the choice of out of home (OH) eating in university students. A questionnaire containing the sections of age, accommodation and education status was applied to the participants (n = 399). The 24h dietary records were obtained from the participants. The participants were asked to write the locations where they consume the meals. The percentages of substantial OH eaters were 16.7% and 17.7% in males and females, respectively (p>0.05). Staying in dormitory status was found to be increased the probability of being a substantial eater compared to the reference of staying with family (odds ratios were 9.93 for females and 14.79 for males; p<0.05 for both genders). Substantial OH eaters had a higher protein, a higher carbohydrate, and a higher starch intakes than at home eaters (p<0.05 for all nutrients). It has been shown that university students mostly prefer fast food restaurants for OH eating.