DIETARY BEHAVIORAL CHANGES AMONG INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF GEORGIA

Background and Aim: Study aimed to investigate temporal migration affects on nutrition related behaviors of international students of the University of Georgia (UoG)Methods: To identify possible impacts of temporal migration among international students’ eating habits and behavioral changes, researchers used Cross-Sectional Study design. Sample was selected from UoG International and local students. Self-administrated anonymous questionnaires were sent to all undergraduate students via university intranet. IBM SPSS software has been used to determine the correlation between variables.Results: Overall, 112 local (77% female, 22% male) and 53 (63% male, 37% female) international students from 12 different countries participated in the study, from which Iraq, Iran and Nigeria represented dominant categories. Majority (62 %) of international students reported their diet as unhealthy. The study revealed that after changing living environment BMI increase and digestive system problems occurred among 25% of international students. Since attending the university Almost 40% of participants has excluded breakfast from their daily routine and also significantly decreased (40-50%) consumption of liquids, fish and diary products.Conclusion: Study revealed that changes of social and physical environment affects on nutritional behaviors. Consequently, changes of eating habits can have considerable effects on general health and well-being of the International students.

Keywords:

International students , Nutrition , Behavioral Changes