Clinical & Experimental Cardiology
Open Access
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
ISSN: 2155-9880
+44 1300 500008
Pearl Kitcher
University of Chester, United Kingdom
Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J Clin Exp Cardiolog
Dietary patterns are considered as predictors of weight gain and the metabolic disorders that can increase the likelihood of non-communicable disease (NCDS) onset. University serves as an ideal setting for transitioning into adulthood and therefore behaviours developed at this stage are likely to be carried along as the young adults become older over time. This systematic review was conducted to identify key dietary patterns, dietary intake trends and risk factors associated with non-communicable diseases among young adults in universities within the UK.Eight articles were extracted and used for this study. Search phrases used were identical to dietary patterns, university students, Britain and NCDs. The studies revealed that the university is an environment where students are susceptible to weight gain and this is mainly due to high levels of academic stress, prolonged sedentary times and social interactions with other people. Findings revealed that Students that gained over 12.7kg whilst they were in the university, mostly consumed convenience foods, rarely ate home-made soups and meals, and instead, mostly ate take-aways and fast foods. Students that gained weight in the university rarely consumed fruits and vegetables. Students that consumed alcohol more frequently also showed significant level of weight gain (p=0.058). Other risk factors for NCDs among university students included academic stress coupled with emotional imbalances, as well as, lowered physical activity levels, which was heightened in 2020 by the coronavirus and related lockdown measures. This therefore depicts that in the university, students mostly consume snacks which are high in calories and increase the likelihood to increase their body weight. Health promotion activities should include appearance-based messages and mindfulness activities for tertiary students. Keywords: dietary patterns, university students, non-communicable diseases, risk factors.
Pearl Kitcher is the Founder, ChocolArt Haus & The Diet Maze and she is theAfrican Changemakers Fellow 2018 and also Thought for Food Ambassador -WEF Global Shaper.Pearl kitcher is a Public Health Nutritionist, with an undergraduate background in Biochemistry.