Clinical Nutrition

Biography

Biography: Doris Jaalouk

Abstract

A total of 391 undergraduate private university students completed three questionnaires: 73- item food frequency questionnaire, background questionnaire (socio-demographic & lifestyle factors), and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) - short form. Daily calorie intake was assessed using the Nutritionist Pro-Diet Analysis software. Statistical analyses were performed using SPSS version 22 for Windows. Mean daily intake of water was the highest, followed by sugar sweetened beverages (SSBs) (fruit drinks, soft drinks, & energy drinks), coffee/ tea with sugar, diet beverages, and alcoholic beverages. Consumption levels of different types of beverages varied significantly by gender. The contribution to daily calorie intake from beverages followed the mean daily intake of a beverage in the total sample, and in men and women separately. Daily water intake was found to be significantly associated with increased number of meals per day and dietary supplement intake in men, and with high level of physical activity and lack of depression in women. Fresh fruit juice intake associated with older age and less frequent meals only in men. SSBs consumption associated with younger age and increased frequency of alcohol drinking in men, and with decreased frequency of breakfast consumption and depression in women. Intake of diet beverages associated with obesity status, risky waist circumference, and smoking in men, overweight status in women, and following a special diet and unhealthy eating behaviors in both. Alcoholic beverages’ intake had significant association with living in own apartment/other, smoking and increased frequency of alcohol drinking in men and women, and with overweight in men and unhealthy eating behaviors in women. Study findings can be used to inform about interventions to reduce intake of unhealthy beverages and promote consumption of healthy ones among young adults.