Assessment of Nutritional Status and Its Related Factors among Iranian University Students

Background and purpose: Sufficient nutrition is the appropriate proportions of food required for physical development and maintenance as well as supplying energy to the body. This study aimed at assessing the nutritional status and its related factors among Iranian University Students. Materials and Methods: As a cross-sectional research, the present study was conducted with the participation of 1031 students in Shahroud, Iran. The relevant information was obtained through a 24-hour diet recall questionnaire. Also, the anthropometric measurements were taken for these students. Results: The students’ mean BMI and energy intakes were 22.01±3.57 and 1974±750.35Kcal, respectively. Majority of the students (73.91%) were of normal Body Mass Index (BMI), but some cases of malnutrition including both underweight and overweight were also observed among the students. The findings showed that the mean daily intakes of fiber, phosphorous, calcium, iron, vitamins A, B6, and B12 were less than the RDA (Recommended Dietary Allowances) values. Hence, a significant relationship was observed between BMI and food consumption at each meal, type of snack, eating breakfast, number of snacks taken per day, speed of food consumption, adding butter or oil to the prepared food, the duration of daily activities, working with computer, and watching television (p<0.001). Conclusion: The results obtained through the methods of nutritional status revealed that due to BMI categories, some cases of malnutrition including both underweight and overweight were observed among the studied students. Examining the consumed food indicated qualitative and quantitative deficiencies as compared with standard recommendations, so that students were affected by hidden hunger resulting from micronutrients deficiency.