METHODS: The study included 581 Saudi university students who were 18 years of age or older as a convenience sample. A three-part questionnaire that asked about demographics, anthropometric measurements, and attitudes and behaviors related to calorie counting was completed by the participants. Using the Statistical Product and Service Solutions (SPSS, version 25.0; IBM SPSS Statistics for Windows, Armonk, NY) program, chi-square, t-tests, and ANOVA tests were used to evaluate the data. Both informed consent and ethical approval were obtained.
RESULTS: The study finds that, even while more than half of the participants knew their recommended daily calorie intake and exhibited curiosity about calorie information on menus, this knowledge did not always result in healthy eating habits. Participants\' opinions and behaviors regarding calorie labeling were significantly correlated with their BMI levels, indicating the importance of education in promoting nutritional awareness and healthy eating habits. New calorie labeling regulations received higher approval from people who regularly ate out.
CONCLUSIONS: This study emphasizes the necessity of comprehensive nutritional education initiatives to raise calorie knowledge and encourage Saudi Arabian university students to make healthier eating choices. It also emphasizes the possible effects of legislative measures requiring calorie information on menus, particularly among regular diners. However, while evaluating the results, it is important to take into account the study\'s limitations, including self-reported data and convenience sample. To support menu calorie labeling legislation and inform targeted public health interventions for university students\' eating behaviors, more research that takes cultural quirks and regional settings into account is necessary.
方法:该研究包括581名18岁或以上的沙特大学生作为便利样本。一份由三部分组成的调查问卷,询问人口统计数据,人体测量,与卡路里计数相关的态度和行为由参与者完成。使用统计产品和服务解决方案(SPSS,版本25.0;IBMSPSSStatisticsforWindows,Armonk,纽约)程序,卡方,t检验,和ANOVA检验用于评估数据。获得知情同意和伦理批准。
结果:研究发现,即使超过一半的参与者知道他们建议的每日卡路里摄入量,并对菜单上的卡路里信息表现出好奇心,这些知识并不总是导致健康的饮食习惯。参与者关于卡路里标签的意见和行为与他们的BMI水平显著相关,表明教育在促进营养意识和健康饮食习惯方面的重要性。新的卡路里标签法规得到了经常外出就餐的人们的更高认可。
结论:这项研究强调了全面的营养教育计划的必要性,以提高卡路里知识,并鼓励沙特阿拉伯大学生做出更健康的饮食选择。它还强调了要求菜单上提供卡路里信息的立法措施可能产生的影响,特别是在普通食客中。然而,在评估结果的同时,重要的是要考虑到研究的局限性,包括自我报告的数据和便利样本。为了支持菜单卡路里标签立法,并为大学生的饮食行为提供有针对性的公共卫生干预措施,需要更多考虑文化怪癖和地区环境的研究。