Youth and health issues today

Fundamentals of academic success: eating behavior determinants among

Lebanese university students

Advanced Academic English

Abstract

Jana Dib El Jalbout

 Fundamentals of academic success

Young adults, particularly university students, experience substantial lifestyle changes and stress,

during their transition from school to college. These changes ultimately lead to the exacerbation

of their eating habits which consequently make them highly susceptible to experience weight

gain and diet-related complications. In view of these global public health threats, this study aims

to determine the extent to which time availability and financial abilities influence Lebanese

students’ selection of meals while on campus. A quantitative survey-based method was used to

assess the impact of these two determinants as well as to identify other factors influencing food-

choice among 21 students enrolled in the Advanced Academic English class at the Lebanese

American University, Byblos campus. Results revealed that time availability considerably affects

females’ eating behaviors, whereas financial abilities influence both males’ and females’ food

choice. Participants recounted personal factors such as stress and mood, university-related

factors such as food options and quality, and societal factors such as peer influence as additional

elements determining their food-choice. These findings reveal the complexity of eating behavior

and the variety of elements that plausibly affect it. Moreover, assessment results disclose the

existence of a difference pattern between males and females, suggesting that the impact of other

food-choice determinants could likewise differ amongst the genders. The current study adds to

the scarce literature pertaining to this topic in Lebanon, as well as emphasizes on the importance

of healthy eating habits for the enhancement of students’ academic performance. Future research

should explore the depth at which personal, environmental and societal factors influence eating

habits, in order to assist universities in implementing appropriate measures that will enable their

students to lead a healthier lifestyle on campus.

Keywords: university students, food-choice, public health, personal factors, societal factors,

environmental factors, time availability, financial ability.

Page | 1