Psychology

Volume 15, Issue 1 (January 2024)

ISSN Print: 2152-7180   ISSN Online: 2152-7199

Google-based Impact Factor: 1.62  Citations  

College Students with Medical Dietary Restrictions Face Financial and Personal Challenges Trying to Meet Nutritional Needs

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DOI: 10.4236/psych.2024.151002    150 Downloads   991 Views  

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Dietary restrictions are followed due to personal choices and/or medical diagnosis. The literature lacks studies focused on the experiences of college students navigating campus life and managing the effects of restricted eating. The goal of this study was to assess how food allergies, food sensitivities, and/or autoimmune disease affect one’s well-being as a college student. Methods: A 33-item web-based survey was promoted to undergraduate and graduate students at a large state institution in Louisiana. Participants needed to identify as having dietary restrictions due to food allergies, food sensitivities, and/or autoimmune disease. Items assessed their prioritization of dietary restrictions, commitment to reading food labels, and common symptoms experienced when eating a restricted food item. Results: People who had food sensitives were found to prioritize their dietary restrictions significantly less than those with allergies or autoimmune diseases (p < 0.001). This was also reflected in their responses to how often they read food labels, which revealed they were significantly less likely to read labels (p = 0.005) than those with food allergies. Students with food sensitives were also more likely to report high incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms. Students also reported issues with locating appropriate foods and financing their dietary needs. Conclusion: Experiencing uncomfortable GI symptoms may interrupt college students’ busy schedules causing an increase in stress, embarrassment, missing class/work, feelings of isolation, and put a strain on intimate relationships. Minimal dietary adherence may lead to an increased risk for decreased GI motility time resulting in malabsorption of vitamins and minerals that could over time cause more serious health issues. Soliciting ideas for the changes students expect to see in university dining facilities to better manage medical dietary restrictions is the next area of focus.

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Bosch, C. , Niroula, K. and McKinley, E. (2024) College Students with Medical Dietary Restrictions Face Financial and Personal Challenges Trying to Meet Nutritional Needs. Psychology, 15, 16-26. doi: 10.4236/psych.2024.151002.

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