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Assessing Nutritional Awareness and Dietary Practices of College-aged Students

for Developing an Effective Nutrition Educational Plan
Article in Canadian Journal of Clinical Nutrition · June 2018

DOI: 10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2018.02.03
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The Canadian Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Volume 6, Issue 2, June 2018
ISSN 1927-8942 (Print Edition), ISSN 1927-8950 (Online Edition)
Research Article Page 22-42
Assessing Nutritional Awareness and Dietary Practices of College-aged

Students for Developing an Effective Nutrition Educational Plan
Amany A. Salama*, Naglaa M. Ismael
Nutrition Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Pharos University,

Alexandria, Egypt
*Corresponding Author Email Address: amanysalama@hotmail.com

ABSTRACT
Background: Identification of teen awareness and dietary practices is the first step towards
promotion of adopting healthy eating habits. The aim of this study was to assess the
nutritional awareness and common dietary practices for a sample of 1 st year undergraduate
students and to design a relevant and effective nutrition education plan NEP tailored based on
their specific dietary behaviors. Subjects and Methods: A cross sectional study design was
selected and a detailed questionnaire was administered to a convenient sample of 165, 1st year
undergraduate allied medical students who agreed to participate in the study during fall
semester 2017-2018. Participating students were asked to fill out the self-reported
questionnaire that included as well their weight, and height and demographic data.
Knowledge was questioned through four sections, containing 50 questions in total pertaining
to important aspects of nutrition plus an extra question concerned with source of receiving
knowledge about nutrition. Results: Our study revealed that only 12% (n=19) of our sample
had good awareness, 76% (n=127) had Partial awareness, while 12% (n=19) showed poor
awareness about the major functions of macronutrients. Source of nutritional information was
mainly the internet. Half the students did not know the connection concerning Vitamin A
and night blindness, iodine contribution to thyroxin or functions and sources of vitamin K, D,
and E. There was a statistically significant correlation between awareness and mother’s
education, (r = 0.23, P = 0.003) and father's education, (r = 0.212, P = 0.006). A negative
correlation was shown between body mass index and awareness (r = -0.336, P = <0.001).
Conclusion: Students have poor knowledge about the major function of macronutrients,
types, sources, function of micronutrient and consequences of deficiencies. University
campus can be an effective and efficient medium to influence improvement in the nutritional
knowledge. There is a need for specific nutrition education messages along with targeted
interventions.
Keywords: Nutrition Awareness, Undergraduate, Dietary Practices, Nutrition Education
Citation: Salama AA, Ismael NM. Assessing Nutritional Awareness and Dietary Practices of
22
College-aged Students for Developing an Effective Nutrition Educational Plan. Canad J Clin
Nutr 2018; 6 (2): 22-42.
Page
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.14206/canad.j.clin.nutr.2018.02.03
The Canadian Journal of Clinical Nutrition is published by Global Science Heritage, (http://www.globalscienceheritage.org)
Registered publisher by the Library and Archives/Government of Canada, (www.collectionscanada.gc.ca)
INTRODUCTION
Awareness about proper nutrition, food nutritive value and healthy eating practices can
make a difference in the health of the society and country as a whole. Nutritional
deficiencies can leave an entire nation unproductive (1). Poor diet is the 4th biggest
global risk factor for disease. Nutrition can be easily obtained from getting a well-
balanced and varied diet. Nutritious food plays a significant role in maintaining a healthy
body which is compatible with long life (2). Identification of teen dietary practices is the
first step towards promotion of adopting healthy eating habits. The impact of nutritional
awareness on diet quality seems to be a promising area for both health promotion and
health policy research. Good eating habits will help undergraduates not only to improve
their nutritional well-being, but also to prevent nutrition-related diseases (3). Diet of good
quality is inversely associated with dietary energy density, and people eating a variety of
foods are more likely to meet their needs for a wide range of essential nutrients (4, 5).
Nutrition education is indispensable not only as a means of raising living standards, but
more importantly as an activity to avoid malnutrition. Knowledge of what people eat and
why, would be a prerequisite in effecting the changes needed in the desirable direction
(6). Substandard nutritional habits certainly have detrimental and long lasting effects on
health. In the rapidly changing world, new and attractive food products appear in the
market every day and supermarkets are full of non-traditional, ‘easy to cook’ and ‘ready
to eat’ food items, thereby distracting people in making selection and food preferences
nutritionally imbalanced (7). Adequate supply of all nutrients is of paramount importance
to satisfy the nutritional requirements of human beings for body maintenance, growth,
strength, physical work, cognitive ability, immunity and good health (8).
People who are aware of the connection between poor nutrition and certain health
conditions are more likely to follow a balanced diet and avoid excessive weight gain.
This means that increasing nutritional knowledge can be a good strategy to employ in the
reduction and control of certain health condition (9). Nutritional education focuses on
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practical aspects of nutritional knowledge, and plays an important role in raising public
awareness (10). There have been several studies on nutrition education intervention
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programs that targeted college students with the aim of supporting sound dietary intake.
Some of these studies recorded an increase in knowledge and improved dietary intake
post implementation of intervention. Understanding the association between nutrition
knowledge and dietary intake of college students will help in identifying reasons for the
development of unhealthy eating habits. This can help inform the development of
effective education programs that will promote lifestyle changes and improve healthy
eating in college students (11). Yet, to date, relatively little research has examined
nutritional knowledge, practice and attitudes of this young population and related
differences between different age groups and genders in many aspects of this field have
not clearly been defined. On the other hand, more than 36.4% of the Egyptian population
is between 15 and 24 years old, which prioritize promotion of awareness about proper
nutrition and healthier dietary practices (12).
The aim of this study was to assess the nutritional awareness and common dietary
practices for a sample of 1st year undergraduate students and to design a relevant and
effective nutrition education plan NEP tailored based on their specific dietary behaviors
and to investigate the most relevant factors influencing nutritional awareness which will
help to identify areas of weakness in students' understanding of healthy eating practices.
SUBJECTS & METHODS
The study protocol was approved by Ethics Committee of faculty of allied medical
sciences; Pharos University in Alexandria. Participation in this study was voluntary. All
information was anonymously collected, and the outcomes were used for research
purposes. The authors declare that there are no conflicts of interest.
Study Design and Sampling: A cross sectional study design was selected and a detailed
questionnaire was administered to a convenient sample of 165, 1st year undergraduate allied
medical students who agreed to participate in the study during fall semester 2017-2018 in order
to assess their understanding of the nutritive value of food, dietary guidelines and healthy
dietary practices.
24
Data Collection and Study Questionnaire: The instrument for data collection was a self-
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developed nutritional awareness and common dietary practices questionnaire, validated
by five experts from the nutrition department, faculty of allied medical sciences in PUA;
and then piloted among a small group of students that were not included in the study.
Participating students were asked to fill out the self-reported questionnaire that included
as well their weight, and height and demographic data. Knowledge was questioned
through four sections, containing 50 questions in total pertaining to important aspects of
nutrition plus an extra question concerned with source of receiving knowledge about
nutrition. The four major aspects on which the framework of questionnaire was
formulated were: sources of macronutrients and their functions, sources of vitamins and
consequences of deficiency, sources of minerals and consequences of deficiency and
dietary choices and healthy dietary practices. Each question had three options, out of
which one was correct; agree, disagree or don’t know. None of the students had taken any
formal education in nutrition. However, all students had studied biology as one of their
subjects in science stream at high school. The questionnaires filled by the students were
marked with great precision and equal weightage was given to each question. The
grading of scores was done according to percent of correct responses on the following
basis: Degree of awareness = Poor (<50%), Partial (50 – 75%) and Good (>75). Body
mass index (BMI) was used to assess students' weight status.
Statistical Analysis: The Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics
20. Relationship among continuous and categorical variables was determined using Chi
square test, independent t-test and one-way ANOVA where appropriate. Significance
between groups was done using Post Hoc Test (LSD). Pearson coefficient correlation was
used to examine associations between all continuous variables. A p-value of less than
0.05 was considered significant in all statistical tests of significance.
RESULTS
Characteristics of participating students: A total of 165 students (47 males and 118
females), with an age range of 16-23 years and a mean age of 18.76 ± 1.12 years,
participated in this study. Mean BMI was 24.4 ± 3.34. The prevalence of overweight and
25
obesity was 35%. Nutritional awareness: It was found that only 12% (n=19) of our
sample had good awareness, 76% (n=127) had Partial awareness, while 12% (n=19)
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showed poor awareness. Some of the most important sources of food information were;
Internet: 39% - Media: 21% - Newspapers and magazines: 21% - Books: 19%, but not
school or previous studied curricula.
With respect to specific responses on nutritional knowledge, more than half the students did
not know the correct answers to questions concerning Vitamin A and the ability to see in dim
light, iodine contribution to the production of thyroxin or functions and source of vitamin K,
D, and E. While 67% of respondents were aware of the importance of fiber in lowering
cholesterol, and 63.6% of them knew that low fiber content of the diet may increase risk of
colon cancer or bowl disorders. Yet only 36.3% were aware that each gram protein gives 4
calories and the same response for good sources of iron.
Adequate knowledge was highest for some concepts as; regular carbohydrate supply in meals
is essential for maximizing athletic performance (60% correct response), calcium and
phosphorus are essential for building bones and teeth (68.4% correct response), excess salt
consumption and high blood pressure (69.6% correct response), Lack of variety in foods
eaten in meals leads to a lack of nutrients (66.6% correct response), Factors that impede iron
absorption and that it is recommended to eat vegetables 3-5 times a day (63.6% correct
response). Regarding the relation between degree of nutritional awareness and gender; there
was no statistically significant difference between both sexes.
Table 1 reveals that; good nutritional awareness (12%) was prevalent in the age category of
between (20-23) years where a statistically significant relationship was found between
nutritional awareness and age. As detected from table 2; all the nutritionally aware group of
students had well educated fathers (university education /postgraduate education). This was
statistically significant. Table 3 demonstrates that; again all the nutritionally aware group of
students had well educated mothers (university education /postgraduate education). This was
statistically significant. As described in table 4; most of the nutritionally aware group of
students had normal BMI (90%), only (10%) were overweight, but none were obese. On the
contrary; 79% of those with poor knowledge were overweight or obese. This was statistically
significant. A statistical correlation was found between nutritional awareness and age, (r =
26
0.209, P = 0.007). There was a direct statistically significant correlation between degree of
awareness and mother’s education, (r = 0.23, P = 0.003) and a statistically significant
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correlation between of dietary awareness and father's education, (r = 0.212, P = 0.006). A
negative correlation was shown between body mass index and the degree of dietary
awareness (r = -0.336, P = <0.001) as presented in table 5.
DISCUSSION
A healthy diet is an important means for preventing and controlling noncommunicable
diseases (NCDs), and improving nutrition is central to achieving the agenda for
sustainable development. World leaders acknowledged the importance of addressing
nutrition in order to achieve development goals, and recognized that food security and
nutrition are keys for sustainable development (13).
This study aimed to assess the adolescent’s nutritional awareness and understanding and
to reveal their knowledge about healthy dietary practices, as well as the sources of
information about food and nutrition for this population group in order to identify the
most effective format for future nutrition messages. Number of adolescents with BMI ≥
25 was (35%); this was almost in accordance with our previous study, which showed
prevalence of overweight and obesity of more than 40%, in this university population
(14). The present study shows that the students are not conscious of the nutritional aspect
of their diets as only about 12% of them were considered to be in the good category. The
rest of the 88% were ranked partial to poor. Good nutritional awareness (12%) was
prevalent in the age category of between 20-23 years where a statistical relationship was
found between nutritional awareness and age, (r = 0.209, P = 0.007); this is explained as
a resulting desire to educate one's self to increase information available on food and
nutrition.
It is hypothesized that nutritional awareness of science stream students, especially those
who studied biology as one of their subjects could be better than other students;
nevertheless the study revealed shocking results for all questions used to measure
knowledge about sources of micronutrient and consequences of deficiencies. In
consistence with the results of the current study, Sharma et al, in an effort to estimate and
measure the nutritional awareness of students studying in college; found that students had
27
very little knowledge about the nutritional aspect of foods which were included in their
daily meals (7).
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To evaluate dietary practices and nutritionally conscious students we should detect

important sources providing nutritional knowledge to this critical population; our results
showed that the internet was the major source of knowledge from where they got basic
information, but not school or previous studied curricula! Contrary to our results; other
studies showed that school was the major source of knowledge from where they got basic
information; school (48%), family (44%), peers and media (8%) were responsible for
providing nutritional knowledge to the students (15). Other results revealed that 42% of
the students get their nutritional knowledge from the media (16).
Results of this study showed that 67% of respondents were aware of the importance of
fiber in lowering cholesterol, and 63.6% agreed that low fiber content leads to colon
disease, while 68.4% knew that calcium and phosphorus are essential for building bones
and teeth, but the prevalence of knowledge about etiology, signs and symptoms of scurvy
being due to vitamin-C deficiency and night blindness being due to vitamin-A deficiency
was poor. According to a recent study more than half the students did not know the
correct answers to questions concerning fibers, calcium, vitamin B12 and fat, 73.4%
didn't know the source of vitamin B12 and iron, 55.1% of the students didn't know the
food group that should be eaten the least, 52 .6 % didn't know which foods contain more
fibers, while 66.6 % of students didn't know which foods contain the most calcium (16).
One study revealed that, recommended serving of fruit and vegetables was unfamiliar to a
large part of adolescents. Most of the participating adolescents were aware of
recommendation for low fat milk products and recommendation for consuming more or
less food from food groups (fruit, vegetable, fiber, milk products, meat, salt, fat, sweets).
Particularly poor knowledge was shown for the salt consumption, where 71.8% correlate
salt intake with high cholesterol. Their result agrees with our study in the fact that the
highest percent of participants, 44.4% showed only partial knowledge (17).
Studies investigating the relation between degree of nutritional awareness and gender
have controversial results; there was no statistically significant difference between both
28
sexes in the current study. Others have found that girls showed better knowledge than
boys (17). In contrast, it was found that gender was significantly associated with eating
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habits in Malaysia, yet another study revealed that the result shows that gender has no
significant deference effect regarding dietary habits (18).
In the current study, the strongest negative correlation was shown between body mass
index and the degree of dietary awareness (r = -0.336, P = 0.001). Contrary to what we
observed; obese subjects conformed more to dietary recommendations compared with
normal-weight subjects (19). While interestingly, adolescents with BMI>25.0 kg/m2
showed the best score for knowledge section about understanding of terms (17).
There remains a significant knowledge gap on the question of why parental education
matters for the health outcomes of the next generation. Trying to fill this knowledge gap,
and enhance research focusing on nutritional awareness, in the context of recognizing the
importance of balanced meals to maintain good health; the current study has
demonstrated a positive statistically significant correlation between perceived degree of
dietary awareness and mother’s education, (r = 0.23, P = 0.003) and to a lesser extent, yet
still statistically significant correlation between of dietary awareness and father's
education, (r = 0.212, P = 0.006).
The study sample encompassed more females than males, 71.6 % of our students were
females in the reproductive age; they lacked some basic knowledge of nutritional value of
food and to our concern females make for almost half of the entire population. Moreover,
nutrition education in females can be of great value as women play an important role by
being the essence of the family and can create an enormous positive change. Stunting is
still the most prevalent form of malnutrition; as it affects over half of malnourished
children in Egypt. Prevalence of stunting (moderate and severe) among children under-
five, in 2014 was 21.4% (20). Stunting contributes to overall child mortality and also
reduces the productivity of survivors when they enter the workforce; thus there is a strong
economic as well as humanitarian rationale for improving nutrition. In a study that
analyzed the linkages between parental education and child health from 134
Demographic Health Surveys (DHS) for 376,992 preschool children from 56 developing
29
countries; researchers speculated that education might have more impact on the
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nutritional status of the next generation if school curricula focused on directly improving
health and nutritional knowledge of future parents (21).
A magnitude of studies had appraised the relationship between good nutritional
knowledge and food choices among females; it is assumed that mothers who have true
nutritional knowledge prefer right foods for themselves and for their children. Results
indicated that many of the mothers who have higher nutritional knowledge level and their
children have normal weight (22). In a study that examined the link between maternal
nutrition knowledge and nutritional outcomes of children and adolescents (5-18 years)
measured in terms of height-for-age Z-scores, the strongest positive association with
height-for-age Z-scores was found for maternal knowledge about the health consequences
of not following recommended dietary practices (23). In a study included 400 college
young females of age 18 – 25 years; students from different majors study subjects; results
showed that mean nutrition related knowledge of young females is 55.30% which is
average but not optimal (24). A study investigated the dietary intakes of Omani
preschoolers and associations with the mother’s nutritional knowledge and attitudes;
results showed a lower dietary adequacy of children’s food intake in mothers with low
educational levels, high-ranked occupation, and lower levels of both nutritional
knowledge and food related health attitudes (25). The highest food intake and healthy
eating attitude scores were found in children of mothers with high education level and
mother without an occupation (25).
It is assumed that the mothers who have true nutritional knowledge prefer right foods for
themselves and for their children. Results indicated that many of the mothers who have
higher nutritional knowledge level and their children have normal weight. Mothers’
nutrition knowledge level affects children’s eating habits. Educational status of the
mother is effective on their children’s eating habits. High educated mothers’ children
have higher scores about healthy eating attitudes (26). Yet the focus cannot be too
narrow: not only mothers but also husbands, families, the community and the
professionals who advise them need to understand that children’s lives and futures
30
depend on how they consume (27).

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Brown et al., emphasized the role of nutrition education to address the numerous personal
and environmental influences on food choices and dietary behaviors as potential
mediators of action and behavior change for adolescents. It is evident that attitude
towards diet in adolescent girls and boys is quite unhealthy. Food preferences are often of
a “fast food”‐ style and consequently the food habits of many young consumers may fuel
the consumption of poor nutritionally balanced meals (1).
In spite of being well aware of the importance of breakfast intake, good hydration and
significance of varied food intake and the importance of dietary fiber (66% each);
students food preference behavior did not always appear to reflect such knowledge,
particularly within the campus and social environments as detected by our previous
research on eating habits among university students. About 60.3% of the students
reported daily or 3-4 times per week intake of fried foods with no gender differences for
female 59.9% versus males 61% (14). The dawn of convenience foods has incredibly
changed the dietary pattern which can lead to measurable adverse effects on body form,
function and clinical outcome during later years; adding to the obesogenic environment
that we live in.
Comparing the difference and relationship between nutrition knowledge and food intake
among students who had completed a nutrition course and students who had not; there
was a positive correlation between knowledge scores and healthy eating index (HEI)
scores. Researchers have concluded that nutrition interventions to improve dietary quality
in college students should focus on improving nutrition knowledge (10).
Nutritional education efforts per se do not necessarily induce dietary change; whereas
enhancing nutritional awareness as simple proxy for nutritional knowledge, healthy
dietary practices and dietary balance may provide a stimulant for the will of adopting a
healthy lifestyle. The impact of perceived importance of dietary balance, as a factor
motivating people’s food habits, seems to be a promising area for future health promotion
and policy research (28). To determine how parental nutrition label use, label literacy,
31
and nutrition knowledge may be associated with cardiovascular health in parents and
their children; parents with greater nutrition label use had more favorable lipids, while
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children of parents with greater nutrition knowledge had lower adiposity indices (29).
This is important for future parents as cardiovascular diseases are major killers globally
as well as nationally. In a study to detect the effect of nutrition education program on
food – related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and practices of literate women in Pankshin
community; the findings of the study showed that there was significant difference
between the mean scores of women exposed to nutrition education and those who were
not, in nutritional knowledge; nutritional attitudes; nutritional beliefs and nutritional
practices (30).
In consistence with our results; El-Ahmady et al, found that Healthier eating habits and
lifestyle were associated more with nutrition conscious students (r =0.73) than
knowledgeable students (r=0.56). It was concluded that knowledge alone is not enough to
stimulate individuals to practice healthy habits. Other implementations are required to
raise awareness of the issues at hand. Moreover, El-Hassan et al., reported that among
their studied sample a desire to eat a healthy diet may exist, but it does not translate fully
to behavior modification; thus it could be speculated that people are not willing to trade
convenience for health or other benefits (31, 16).
According to Carol Bellamy, fourth Executive Director of UNICEF and former leader;
“Vitamin and mineral deficiency touches the lives of perhaps a third of the world’s
people. And when so much could be achieved for so many and for so little, it would be a
matter of global disgrace if vitamin and mineral deficiency were not brought under
control in the years immediately ahead (32). Trace elements including iron, zinc, and
folate are indispensable for high growth rates of adolescents. The squeal of micronutrient
insufficiencies, for instance folate, Fe, Zn and I, are thoughtful and result in overall poor
health, growth retardation, learning disabilities, low work ability and premature death
among adolescents (33).
Nutrition knowledge is an integral component of health literacy and as low health literacy
is associated with poor health outcomes, contemporary, high-quality research is needed to
32
inform community nutrition education and public health policy (34). Food and nutrition
professionals have a responsibility to communicate unbiased food and nutrition
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information that is culturally sensitive, scientifically accurate, medically appropriate and

feasible for the target audience (35). Health promotion is translating theoretical
recommendations to prevent disease and improve health into practical, easy to follow
guidelines. Effective health promotion should be sustainable and on schedule. It should
start with research to the establish need, have defined outcomes and conclude with an in-
depth evaluation (36). Focusing on variety, moderation, and proportionality in the context
of a healthy lifestyle, rather than targeting specific nutrients or foods, can help reduce
consumer confusion and prevent unnecessary reliance on supplements. Proactive,
empowering, and practical messages that emphasize the total diet approach promote
positive lifestyle changes (37).
The main message of our study was designed to help students to improve health literacy,
by learning about essential nutrients, their source and function- A Healthy Diet with
Essential Micronutrients is the Basis for a Healthy Life- and reinforce conscious personal
eating habits by using the traffic light model of healthy eating and food guidance
systems, such as my healthy plate or the healthy eating pyramid. The information
regarding nutrition has to begin at an early age and could be taught through many
educational programs which could include the nutritive value of foods; judicious choice
of foods while planning daily meals; supplementation and substitution of the diets with
local foods; personal hygiene and sanitation in handling of foods; healthy cooking
methods for preserving maximum nutrition in foods; enhancement of nutrients by
sprouting and fermentation; irregular eating and missing meals leading to deficiency
diseases (38). Education in the area of nutrition, especially with respect to information
relating to sources of nutrition and healthy weight management is a call for action (14).
The action plan included: (A) Launching the Healthy Campus 2018-2020 initiative by
medical, nutrition, and allied health experts to inform undergraduate students about; the
macronutrients and micronutrients recommended daily allowances, healthy dietary
guidelines and eating practices, (B) Using the motto: Choose/ Control/ Change. As
33
schools directly expose future parents to health information and knowledge, we

advocated the design of nutritional courses to high school fostering health and nutrition
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awareness in teens, and (C) Starting an awareness program, communicating healthful-

eating messages, empowering younger students by emphasizing a balance of foods, to
enhance knowledge on nutrition and dietary practices as a service to the community
around our campus.
CONCLUSION
The study revealed that the enrolled students have poor knowledge about the major
function of macronutrients, types, sources, function of micronutrient and consequences of
deficiencies. Yet, although they had partial knowledge about good choices and healthy
dietary practices; they are often binging on the luscious fast foods unconscious of the
quality of ingredients used in their processing and preparation. University campus can be
an effective and efficient medium to influence improvement in the nutritional knowledge.
The findings underscored the need for specific nutrition education messages along with
targeted interventions.
Efforts should be continued to increase population awareness of the importance of a
healthy lifestyle and a balanced diet. At the same time, there is an urgency to monitor and
evaluate the changing dietary habits of today’s generation. A work of advocacy
concerning school-based nutrition education whose prime objective is teaching nutrition
to children throughout their educational experience; is an important component of a
comprehensive health promotion message and a key to developing healthy eating habits.
AUTHORS CONTRIBUTION
Data interpretation and manuscript preparation were undertaken and approved by all
authors of this study.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENT
The authors are extremely grateful to all participating students in this study.
CONFLICTS OF INTEREST
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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Page
Table 1: Relation between degree of nutritional awareness and age
Parameter Degree of Awareness Test of
Age (years) Poor Partial Good Significance
(<50%) (50 – 75%) (>75)
(n=19) (n=127) (n=19)
No. % No. % No. %
< 20 years 17 89.5 122 96.1 11 57.9 2 = 20.295*
≥ 20 years 2 10.5 5 3.9 8 42.1 MC

P <0.001*
Minimum – Maximum 16.0 – 21.0 17.0 – 21.0 18.0 – 23.0 F= 9.647*
Mean ± SD 18.47 ± 1.07 18.44 ± 0.64 19.37 ± 1.64 P <0.001*
Median 18.0 18.0 19.0
Significance p1=0.878, p2=0.002*, p3<0.001*
2, p: 2 and p values for Chi square test

MC
P: p value for Monte Carlo for Chi square test
F, p: F and p values for ANOVA test, Sig. bet. groups was done using Post Hoc Test (LSD)
p1: p value for comparing between poor and fair
p2: p value for comparing between poor and good
p3: p value for comparing between fair and good
*Statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05
38
Page
Table 2: Relation between degree of nutritional awareness and father education
Degree of Awareness
Poor Partial Good
Father Education (<50%) (50 – 75%) (>75)  MC

p
(n=19) (n=127) (n=19)
No. % No. % No. %
Primary school / Preparatory/

8 42.1 15 11.8 0 0.0
Intermediate education
13.109* 0.001*
University education /
11 57.9 112 88.2 19 100
Postgraduate education

MC
p: p value for Monte Carlo for Chi square test
39
Page
Table 3: Relation between degree of nutritional awareness and mother education
Degree of Awareness
Poor Partial Good
Mother Education (<50%) (50 – 75%) (>75) 
(n=19) (n=127) (n=19)
No. % No. % No. %
Primary school/ preparatory
9 47.4 21 16.5 0 0.0
/Intermediate education
15.651*
University education 7 36.8 67 52.8 9 47.4
Postgraduate education 3 15.8 39 30.7 10 52.6

MC
p: p value for Monte Carlo for Chi square test
40
Page
Table 4: Relation between degree of nutritional awareness and body mass index
Parameter Degree of Awareness

Body Mass Index (Kg/m2) Poor Partial Good
(<50%) (50 – 75%) (>75) 2
(n=19) (n=127) (n=19)
No. % No % No. %
.
Normal (<18.5 – 24.9) 4 21.1 87 68.5 17 89.5 32.674*
Overweight (25 – 29.9) 9 47.4 39 30.7 2 10.5
Obese ( ≥30) 6 31.6 1 0.8 0 0.0
Min. – Max. 21.60 – 34.38 16.53 – 37.33 15.62 – 28.73 24.069*
Mean ± SD. 28.14 ± 3.96 23.61 ± 2.96 21.47 ± 3.09
Median 28.84 23.39 22.06
Significance p1<0.001*, p2<0.001*, p3=0.006*
F and p values for ANOVA test, Significance between groups was done using Post Hoc Test
p1: p value for comparing between normal and overweight
p2: p value for comparing between normal and obese
p3: p value for comparing between overweight and obese
*: Statistically significant at P ≤ 0.05
41
Page
Table 5: Correlation between degree of awareness and different parameters
Parameter Degree of Awareness
Age (years) 0.209* 0.007*
BMI (kg/m2) -0.336* <0.001*
Father education 0.212* 0.006*
Mother education 0.230* 0.003*
r: Pearson coefficient
42
Page
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Assessing Nutritional Awareness and Dietary Practices of College-aged Students

Article in Canadian Journal of Clinical Nutrition · June 2018

Amany A Salama Naglaa Esmail

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Research Article Page 22-42

Assessing Nutritional Awareness and Dietary Practices of College-aged

Amany A. Salama*, Naglaa M. Ismael

Nutrition Department, Faculty of Allied Medical Sciences, Pharos University,

*Corresponding Author Email Address: amanysalama@hotmail.com

Keywords: Nutrition Awareness, Undergraduate, Dietary Practices, Nutrition Education

developed nutritional awareness and common dietary practices questionnaire, validated

correlation between of dietary awareness and father's education, (r = 0.212, P = 0.006). A

To evaluate dietary practices and nutritionally conscious students we should detect

depend on how they consume (27).

information that is culturally sensitive, scientifically accurate, medically appropriate and

schools directly expose future parents to health information and knowledge, we

awareness in teens, and (C) Starting an awareness program, communicating healthful-

Health Organization, technical report, 2013.

15. Naeeni MM, Jafari S, Fouladgar M, Heidari K, Farajzadegan Z, Fakhri M, Karami P,

(Accessed in March 2018).

28. Alkerwi A, Sauvageot N, Malan L, Shivappa N, Hébert JR. Association between

Table 1: Relation between degree of nutritional awareness and age

Parameter Degree of Awareness Test of

Age (years) Poor Partial Good Significance

(<50%) (50 – 75%) (>75)

(n=19) (n=127) (n=19)

No. % No. % No. %

< 20 years 17 89.5 122 96.1 11 57.9 2 = 20.295*

≥ 20 years 2 10.5 5 3.9 8 42.1 MC

Minimum – Maximum 16.0 – 21.0 17.0 – 21.0 18.0 – 23.0 F= 9.647*

Mean ± SD 18.47 ± 1.07 18.44 ± 0.64 19.37 ± 1.64 P <0.001*

Median 18.0 18.0 19.0

Significance p1=0.878, p2=0.002*, p3<0.001*

2, p: 2 and p values for Chi square test

Table 2: Relation between degree of nutritional awareness and father education

Poor Partial Good

Father Education (<50%) (50 – 75%) (>75)  MC

(n=19) (n=127) (n=19)

No. % No. % No. %

Primary school / Preparatory/

2, p: 2 and p values for Chi square test

Table 3: Relation between degree of nutritional awareness and mother education

Postgraduate education 3 15.8 39 30.7 10 52.6

2, p: 2 and p values for Chi square test

Parameter Degree of Awareness

Table 5: Correlation between degree of awareness and different parameters

Parameter Degree of Awareness

Age (years) 0.209* 0.007*

BMI (kg/m2) -0.336* <0.001*

Father education 0.212* 0.006*

Mother education 0.230* 0.003*

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Significance p1=0.878, p2=0.002, p3<0.001