TITLE:
Lifestyle Habits and Dietary Diversity among Medical Students at Université Gaston Berger (UGB) of Saint-Louis in 2023
AUTHORS:
Lebem Togtoga, Khadim Niang, Papa Ndiaye, Mamadou Saidou Bah
KEYWORDS:
Lifestyles, Dietary Diversity, Students, UGB, Senegal
JOURNAL NAME:
Food and Nutrition Sciences,
Vol.14 No.12,
December
20,
2023
ABSTRACT: Introduction: At university, habits, particularly eating habits, can
negatively impact well-being. This study aimed to describe lifestyle habits and
dietary diversity among medical students. Methodology: This was a
cross-sectional, descriptive study, carried out at the UFR 2S of the University
Gaston Berger from May 23 to June 3, 2023. The collection tool focused on
sociodemographic characteristics, lifestyle habits and dietary diversity.
Statistical analyzes were carried out using R software. Results: A total of 471
students participated in this study. Which corresponds to a participation rate
of 89.2% with a M/F sex ratio of 1.66. The age of participants, varying from 18
to 32 years, had a median of 23 years and a mean of 22.4 years with a standard
deviation of 2.2 years. Among the participants, 67.2% skipped breakfast, and
28.5% did not practice any physical sports activity. Alcohol and tobacco were
consumed by 2.5% and 0.6% of participants, respectively. The most consumed
foods were starchy foods (97.5% of men and 98.4% of women); and the least
consumed were dark green leafy vegetables (21.9% of men and 15.1% of women) and
offal (16.9% of men and 11.9% of women). The dietary diversity score was low
for 31.9% of men and 28.7% of women. Conclusion: Certain lifestyle habits
(skipping breakfast, dining late at night, lack of sports practice) of Medicine
students at UGB can prove deleterious to their well-being. These students are
at risk of developing several deficiencies in terms of food groups that are
underrepresented in their diet. Awareness sessions on good lifestyle habits and
diet would be relevant recommendations for improving the health of these
students.