University Presentation Showcase: Undergraduate Division
Nutrition Perceptions and Challenges in College Students
Presenter Hometown
Pineville, KY and Richmond, KY
Major
Biomedical Sciences
Department
Biological Sciences
Degree
Undergraduate
Mentor
Lisa Middleton
Mentor Department
Biological Sciences
Recommended Citation
Runions, Rachel and Shelton, Katie, "Nutrition Perceptions and Challenges in College Students" (2025). University Presentation Showcase Event. 25.
https://encompass.eku.edu/swps/2025/undergraduate/25
Abstract
Students from a variety of different backgrounds come to college. One difference they can experience is at the level of diet and nutrition. In some cases, students may gain access to new and healthier food coming to college, others may have fewer healthy options. Additionally, the pressures of attending school and making decisions on your own can change how you view food and eating patterns. The goal of this study was to examine the nutritional intake of college students in Kentucky. Students were asked to complete a survey to determine how they feel their nutrition has changed since attending college. 195 students have completed the survey. According to the survey, 50% of students feel they had good eating habits before coming to college, but 59% state that their eating habits have gotten worse since coming to college. Fourteen percent of students stated that their biggest nutritional concerns was the amount of fast food they consume, while others suggest that schools providing healthier food options on campus would be beneficial. Based on these results, many college students struggle to eat properly during school, having healthier food options on campuses will not only make students happy and healthy but also improve the overall health of college students across the state of Kentucky.
Presentation format
Poster
Nutrition Perceptions and Challenges in College Students
Students from a variety of different backgrounds come to college. One difference they can experience is at the level of diet and nutrition. In some cases, students may gain access to new and healthier food coming to college, others may have fewer healthy options. Additionally, the pressures of attending school and making decisions on your own can change how you view food and eating patterns. The goal of this study was to examine the nutritional intake of college students in Kentucky. Students were asked to complete a survey to determine how they feel their nutrition has changed since attending college. 195 students have completed the survey. According to the survey, 50% of students feel they had good eating habits before coming to college, but 59% state that their eating habits have gotten worse since coming to college. Fourteen percent of students stated that their biggest nutritional concerns was the amount of fast food they consume, while others suggest that schools providing healthier food options on campus would be beneficial. Based on these results, many college students struggle to eat properly during school, having healthier food options on campuses will not only make students happy and healthy but also improve the overall health of college students across the state of Kentucky.
