Unhealthy Eating Habits Case Study

"PSYCHO-SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF SKIPPING BREAKFAST HABIT AMONG 2014-15 ANMC MBBS MEDICAL STUDENTS (BOARDERS Vs DAY SCHOIARS)"

Dr Rizwan Saeed , Prof Dr Shahid Mahmood , Dr Zahid Latif3, Dr Abbas Khosa4, Dr Momina Khan5.

Abstract:

Breakfast is the first meal taken after rising from a night 's sleep, most often eaten in the early morning before undertaking the day 's work.1 Eating breakfast is important for the health and development of children and adolescents. Breakfast is often referred to as the most important meal of the day2.

Poor eating habits is a major public health concern among young adults who experienced transition into university life 4, during which, they are exposed to stress and lack of time 5. Environmental factors too contribute to adoption of unhealthy eating habits among university students 6.University students tend to make their own food choices 7 based on cost of food and availability of fast food8. Previous studies revealed that university students failed to meet the recommended intakes of fruits and vegetables 9,10 . University students had frequent snacking habits 11 and had a higher frequency of fast food consumption 12. The provision of energy and nutrients throughout the day is exceedingly important and breakfast has been considered an important dietary factor for energy regulation 13. Furthermore, in the 1980s, some studies reported that breakfast could play an important role in the prevention of grown-up chronic diseases such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, and osteoporosis 14. Adding up, for university students, breakfast eating is associated with a range of positive outcomes which includes better organizational attendance, university performance, nutrient intake, health, fitness, and suitable body weight

RESULTS:

A total of eighty (80) respondents were participated in the investigation, consisting of 40(50%) males and 40(50%) females. 10 males and 10 females from each class (1st year, 2nd year, 3rd tear and 4th year). The age range of respondents of the study was 17 to 26 years. Majority of respondents (n=46.3, 46.3%) were 20 to 21 years of age. 50% of respondents were living in hostel, 50 % lived with their parents. Majority of the respondents were having family members 4 (n=21, 26.3%).

51.3% respondents were not taking breakfast and the main reason for skipping their breakfast was (25%) non-availability of breakfast. According to the students who were having trend of taking breakfast, since they have readily available breakfast (48.8%). 86.3% students were having family trend of doing breakfast. 42.5% fathers occupation was self employed, 30% professional, 10% land lord, 5% govt. servant and 12.5% was others. 80% mothers were house wives. Majority of the students were having frequency of skipping breakfast days/week less than 2 (48.8%). 50% done their dinner by 9 o’clock. Most of the students (about 45 %) wakeup by alarm. 60% students were not having morning exercise and 40% were having exercises 1-2 days/week (20%). 53.8% students wake up less than 1 hour before leaving for the studies. 72.5% respondents think they are normal, 12.5% are over-weight and 15 % are obese. 46.3% felt drowsy during lecture, 35% fresh during lecture and 18.8 % lazy. Majority of students