Food consumption patterns of female undergraduate students in the United Arab Emirates.

BACKGROUND Studies on food intake in the UAE especially in relation to the student life are lacking. OBJECTIVE To investigate eating habits of undergraduate students. METHODS A cohort of 146 undergraduate students studying Physiology at Zayed University completed a semi-structured questionnaire. A student response was accepted for analysis only those weeks with adequate responses not more than six. RESULTS The mean student age was 19.28 (1.22) years with a minimum-maximum 18-23 years. The mean weight was 56.67(13.31) with a minimum-maximum of 40-89 kg. Of 1,250 United Arab Emirates Dirham; 10 indicated they worked but did not specify income; and three were married. More foods were consumed seven times in a week. Amongst the principal foods consumed were: bread, cereal, starch; white bread, cornflakes and rice; fruits-apple, banana and orange; vegetables -cucumber, tomato and lettuce; meat-fish, chicken and beef; and eggs and dairy-(milk, cheese and yoghurt). CONCLUSION Dubai female undergraduates have a height intake of milk and fruits and less fanciful breads. Further studies should measure the exact quantity/mass of foods consumed per week.