Comparative Analysis of Eating Patterns and Their Association with Nutritional Status Among Undergraduate Nutrition Students in Lahore, Islamabad and Faisalabad
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Background: Eating behavior during university education is influenced by academic, social, behavioral, and environmental factors, and formal education in nutrition does not necessarily ensure consistently healthy dietary practices. Objective: This study assessed eating habits and nutritional status among undergraduate nutrition students recruited from university sites in Lahore, Islamabad, and Faisalabad and examined the associations of eating-habit status with study site and BMI category. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study included 359 undergraduate nutrition students selected through purposive sampling from Superior University, Lahore (n=177), Hamdard University, Islamabad (n=89), and Riphah International University, Faisalabad (n=93). Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured, pre-tested questionnaire incorporating food-frequency and lifestyle items. Height and weight were assessed for BMI calculation, and participants were classified using Asian BMI categories. Categorical associations were evaluated using the chi-square test with statistical significance set at p≤0.05. Results: Participants had a mean age of 21.52±2.08 years, and 71.0% were female. Normal BMI was observed in 44.8%, while 22.0% were underweight and 33.1% were overweight or obese. Overall, 57.9% had poor, 39.6% moderate, and 2.5% healthy eating habits. Poor eating habits were most frequent at the Faisalabad site (72.0%), compared with Lahore (54.2%) and Islamabad (50.6%). Eating-habit status differed significantly across study sites (χ²=16.401, df=4, p=0.003) but was not significantly associated with BMI category (p=0.549). Conclusion: Unhealthy eating habits were common among undergraduate nutrition students and differed significantly across the participating university sites, whereas eating-habit classification was not associated with BMI category. The findings support greater emphasis on practical behavior-oriented approaches to healthy eating within university nutrition education.
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