Energy and Nutrient Intake and Food Diets among Iranian University Students

The increased prevalence of overweight in Iranian students has stimulated interest in their lifestyle behaviours. The purpose of this research was to investigate dietary intake and food behaviours of Iranian students. Males and females from grades 20 to 24 were recruited from a stratified random selection of university from Iran. Food consumption of 40 male students in Ramin University, Iran was recorded for 7 days. Foods most frequently consumed were selected for analysis of nutrients content. The mean daily intakes of energy, protein, carbohydrate and fat among the students are 1769 kcal, 56, 258 and 57 g, respectively. This diet contributed 17.97 mg Fe, 12.37 mg Ca and 14.4 mg P day-1 which were lower than the WHO, FAO, Health and Welfare Canada Nutrition Recommendation, USA and Iranian RDAs. The main sources of these minerals in the student’s diet were rice, rice products, meat and animal products. This study indicated concern regarding the low intake of the essential vitamins and minerals on long term basis among the students. It is proposed that the students should eat fruits, vegetables and dairy products in their diets.