Abstract
Objective:
The aim of this research was to investigate how students at a UK University lead a healthy lifestyle, what they understand as healthy food, and how both of these relate to national guidelines.
Design:
A qualitative study adopting a phenomenological approach. Interviews were used to enable a nuanced exploration of students’ perceptions of a healthy diet.
Setting:
The study was conducted with the participation of 15 students, aged between 22 and 42 years old, enrolled at a university in London.
Methods:
Data were collected using semi-structured interviews. A comprehensive literature review was conducted to analyse the interview findings within context. The duration of the interviews ranged from 35 to 45 minutes, contingent upon respondents’ motivation to answer the questions.
Results:
Students possessed a good awareness of the requirements of a healthy diet. However, challenges to adhering to such a diet stemmed from financial constraints, the limited availability of healthy food options, and a lack of variety in choices. It is widely agreed that these issues significantly overshadow other considerations. Moreover, there was a prevailing sentiment of distrust towards national dietary guidelines, with students seeing them as incompatible with their budgetary constraints.
Conclusions:
In conclusion, there appears to be good awareness among students regarding healthy food choices reflecting a shift that has gone largely unnoticed in previous research and may be more widespread than previously thought. A variety of economic and social factors influenced students’ food choices and their ability to consume a healthy diet.
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