Barriers to Healthy Eating Among University Students

Abstract

This research explores the healthy eating habits of university students and the obstacles they face in maintaining these habits. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional analysis at a university. The findings indicate an increase in fast food, packaged products, and tea or coffee consumption, while fish consumption decreased. Major obstacles to healthy eating included heavy coursework (69.2%), limited access to healthy food in or around university cafeterias (67%), high costs (50.6%), short shelf life of healthy foods (52.1%), and inadequate kitchen equipment (50.6%). Academic demands, time constraints, access issues, costs, and kitchen equipment deficiencies were identified as significant barriers.