Introduction. Since the start of human existence, the most acute problem has been the question of nutrition, because it is required substrate for energy production. Modern society is directed to the healthy and rational food, because it constitutes the basic part of human’s health, which determines the lifetime and the quality of life.
It is proved that the 50% of health depends on the socio-economic conditions and way of life, which contains the nutrition as the most important component. Irrational nutrition causes a loss of 4,5% healthy years of life due to premature death and disability [1].
Rational nutrition is a kind of nutrition, balanced in energy value and nutrient content, which depends on gender, age and type of activity [2].
Nowadays, the question of rational nutrition is very important because of big amount of stress situations, rather big physical and mental tension and lack of time.
All of these problems directly relate to students. Nutrition holds a special place in their vital activity, because the average age of student (18-22 years old) refers to period of final period of body growth, herewith it characterized by big amount of information, deficiency of rest time and sleep, less physical tension. It causes a big risk to occur the chronic diseases, which should be prevented since a young age.
The aim of research. It was study and analysis of the dietary habits of students according to gender and age and comparison of them.
Materials and methods. The objects of the researching were 100 students of the Medical Faculty of Zaporozhye State Medical University, 53 female and 47 male aged 18 to 22 years. It was used the method of anonymous questionnaire with questions about body parameters, age, gender, regimen and food ration.
Results and discussion. It was found that 58% (26% men and 32% women) consider their diet to be incorrect. The analysis of the questionnaires revealed that 75% of respondents (45% men and 30% women) don’t have the rational nutrition, according to hygienic standards.
Analysis of anthropometric data showed that the majority of students have an adequate body mass index. The average rate of body mass index among the men is 23,2 (normal valueis 18,5-23,8) and among the women is 21,3 (normal value is 20,1-24,99). However, 8 female have a 1th and 2d degree of hypotrophy, 17 male have a 1th degree of alimentary obesity.
Also it is noticed the differences in body mass index depending on the age of student. The average rate of body mass index among the 18 years old respondents is 22.05, 19 years old - 22.25, 20 years old - 22.5, 21 years old - 21.45, 22 years old - 20.8.
These data correspond to modern stereotypes of gender and age food habits.
A big amount of respondents has an imperfection of food ration. It is noticed the non-conformity of the energy value of food and energy consumption (43% of students: 25% women and 18% men). 60% of students (33% men та 27% women) have an incorrect ratio of proteins, fats, carbohydrates. It was discovered a disparity at energy value due to elevation of its rate among males and decreasing among females, that confirms the stereotype about endeavor of men to improve their muscle strength and a purpose of women to reduce weight for getting closer result to doubtful ideals.
There is a tendency to the regimen nonobservance. A big amount of students (61%: 36% male and 25% female) don’t have a complete breakfast and lunch. The majority tries to compensate this deficiency by using the high-calorie and unbalanced dinner. It was discovered the monotonic food ration with the advantage of carbohydrates. Men get them due to ingestion the products containing the simple carbohydrates (glucose, saccharose, fructose) such as bakery and sweets. Women prefer the products, containing the complex carbohydrates (starch, cellulose, glycogen, lactose) such as vegetables, cereals and dairy
A qualitative food composition of respondents is rich in cereals, salads, meat, dairy and eggs. But analysis of answers of respondents revealed that 19% males and 28% females don’t eat fish at all, and 19% males and 9% females don’t consume the cereals.
It was noticed, that 60% of students have in their ration a fast-food such as snacks, porridges and soups of instant preparation and street food. There are 27% males and 33% females. So at the age of 18 fast-food use 8% of students, 19 years-24%, 20 years- 19%, at 21 - 6%, and in 22 years - 1%.
Conclusion. It was found that the factual nutrition of respondents corresponds to gender and age stereotypes. Men have more disconformities on their energy value and ratio of proteins, fats and carbohydrates than women. But females prefer more fast-food eating. There is an obvious tendency to female hypotrophy and male alimentary obesity. There is an age difference that reveals more watchful and responsible position of 21-22 years old students to the choice of food, nutrition mode and careless attitude to these questions and, therefore, their health of 19-20 years old students. Due to the negative trends identified need among students to conduct outreach for effective correction of the situation.
References
- .Москаленко В.Ф. Особливості харчування населення Украіни та іх вплив на здоров’я / В.Ф. Москаленко, Т.С. Грузева, Л.І. Галіенко // Науковий вісник Національного медичного університету ім. О.О. Богомольця. - Кив, 2009. - №3. - С. 64-73.
- .Zulal Yalinca Determination of the Prevalence of Obesity, Nutrition Habits and Food Consumption Frequency in Individuals Working in the Famagusta Medical Centre [Electronic resource]. - Mode of access:http://www.omicsonline.org/open-access/determination-of-the-prevalence-of-obesity-nutrition- habits-and-foodconsumption-frequency-in-individuals-working-in-the-famagusta-medicalcentre-hospital-2161- 1017-1000191.php?aid=59957