Gender differences in diet and health promoting nutrition among university students

Improper dietary habits among students are a growing public health concern, as they contrib-ute to diet-related diseases. This study aimed to assess the frequency of food consumption among students, with analysis of factors influencing their choices and potential health conse-quences, particularly regarding health-promoting properties of the diet. A total of 1269 students (436 women and 833 men) from the Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw participated in the study. The average age was about 20 years, mean body weight 72 kg, and mean height 177 cm. Eating habits were evaluated using the validated Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ-6), and diet quality was assessed with the Pro-Health Diet Index (pHDI-10). Significant gender differences were found in the consumption of refined bread, butter, fruits, vegetables, red meat, and poultry. Men also consumed fruit juices, sweetened beverages, beer, wine, and vodka more frequently than women. Overall, the majority of participants’ diets had a low probability of health-promoting properties. In conclusion, student diets show limited health-promoting potential and indicate a high pre-disposition to diet-related diseases. These results highlight the importance of implementing educational programs promoting rational nutrition and healthy lifestyle choices in the student population.