Nutrition

Food insecurity is an increasing issue in Australian higher education, yet its broader impact on student wellbeing is still not well understood. This research investigated how food insecurity, diet quality, physical activity and social connectedness relate to depressive symptoms in 145 University of Canberra students, using validated measures to capture post-pandemic health and wellbeing patterns. […]

Obesity remains a major global health issue, making it critical to support healthy habits in young adults. A 2024 review found that social marketing, especially through social media, effectively improved student eating habits and, in some cases, physical activity. The most successful campaigns used behaviour change strategies like audience targeting, student co-design, and clear goals. […]

A recent study at the University of Wollongong found that over half of surveyed students experienced some level of food insecurity, with male students and those living away from home at higher risk. Food-insecure students consistently had poorer diet quality, particularly low intake of fruits and vegetables. While many accessed the campus food pantry, these […]

A UK study found that most university students had low to moderate nutrition knowledge, regardless of their degree or year level. Many students struggled with basic dietary facts, including understanding fats, sugars and healthy eating guidelines, and were often influenced by misinformation from social media. Students with better nutrition knowledge were more likely to make […]

Mindfulness, sleep, and moderate-vigorous physical activity have been linked to reduced psychological distress among Australian tertiary students during COVID-19 lockdowns. This research highlights that lifestyle factors significantly impact mental health even in high-stress situations, emphasising the need for mental health promotion through tertiary education institutions. Future research should explore factors that helped some students maintain […]

This research explores the association between psychological distress, resilience, and dietary intake among Australian university students. It found that lower psychological distress and higher resilience were linked to healthier dietary habits, including higher fruit and vegetable consumption and more frequent breakfast intake. The results suggests that psychological well-being plays a significant role in students’ dietary […]

Many students often have poor dietary habits, characterised by inadequate nutrient intake and a high consumption of unhealthy foods. These poor dietary and sedentary patterns contribute to distress. Healthier dietary patterns are associated with greater resilience. Some research suggests first-year female students experienced significant weight gain, increased waist circumference, and body fat. All students exceeded […]

This paper investigates the relationship between dietary intake and educational outcomes among Australian university students. Using cross-sectional and longitudinal data from first-year students, it finds positive associations between vegetable consumption and academic performance, and negative associations between alcohol consumption and academic performance. The study suggests that promoting healthy dietary habits could improve students’ educational outcomes. […]