relationships, work outside college and their living situation were regular

sources of stress. The only item where male students reported experiencing

stress more often was in relation to their sexuality. Other researchers have also

found academic concerns, financial pressures and relationship problems

among college students as important contributors to mental health

symptoms

5, 6, 7

. 

DIETARY HABITS

One in five of all students were on a special diet, with females more than

twice as likely to report such a practice. Weight reduction diet was the most

common, where 15% of females compared to 2% males reported such a

practice. These figures were similar to a comparative group in the national

lifestyle survey

2

. One third of students reported using food supplements on a

regular basis. The most common foods consumed on a daily basis among

students were: bread (80%), meat (56%), cooked vegetables (50%), fruit (42%)

and sweets (39%). More male students had bread, meat and milk at least daily

and more female students ate fruit and salads. Salads and cooked vegetables

were more popular among third year students. Among the less healthy foods,

sweets (39%) and fizzy drinks (27%) were the most popular on a daily basis. A

higher number of males used fizzy drinks, cakes/biscuits, crisps and fast foods

in comparison to females. These foods were more popular among first year

students. Fizzy drinks (40%) and crisps (26%) were most popular among first

year male students. Males drank more milk than females in all years, and

consumption declined over the three years for both genders. Just 6% of

students did not drink milk at all. Females were nearly twice as likely to use

low fat or skimmed milk in comparison to males.  

EXERCISE HABITS

Almost 70% of students described themselves as fairly to very physically

active, with male students more physically active than females. Six percent of

students were not physically active at all. Regular moderate exercise was more

common among females (56%) and strenuous exercise was more common

among males (42%).  Exercise levels in the student population were much

higher than in a comparative group in the national lifestyle survey

2

. Half of all

the students participated in sport, with twice as many males participating as

females (71% to 36%).  The highest sport participation rates were among first

and second year male students. Among females, first year students had the

highest numbers participating in sport.  Of those who participated in sport,

half did so at their college or university.  Forty three percent of students

attended a gym or leisure centre and of those, 60% indicated that it was at a

college facility.

ACCIDENTS AND INJURY

One in four of all students reported that they had sustained an injury requiring

medical treatment during the past 12 months. Twice as many males reported

7