Diet Changes for International Students

Diet Changes Faced by Non-Local Students

• Non-local students, especially international ones, often struggle to maintain a balanced, culturally appropriate diet while studying abroad.
• Many international students have difficulty adjusting to new cuisines and miss familiar foods.
• Dietary acculturation occurs, where students adopt the host country's eating habits, sometimes detrimentally to their health.
• A 2021 study found that 74.5% of international students struggled to find culturally appropriate food on and off campus. This led to feelings of isolation and neglect by institutions.
• Financial constraints are a significant factor in food insecurity for international students.
• Tuition fees exceeding $25,589 annually in Canada for some programs, coupled with limited work opportunities due to visa restrictions, contribute to this issue.
• Many students compromise on nutritional value, choosing low-nutrition options over skipped meals to maintain academic performance.

Health Implications

• Transitioning to different diets can result in weight fluctuations, from weight gain from high-calorie Western diets to weight loss due to limited access to desired foods.
• Reported health concerns include increased blood pressure and blood glucose level changes amongst students adopting Western diets.

Support and Solutions

• Universities can offer diverse food options meeting cultural and religious needs to mitigate these issues.
• Creating affordable campus meal plans for non-local students is vital.
• Increasing awareness of food assistance programs is an important step for support.

Challenges Faced by Non-Local Students in Physical Activity

• Cultural and social barriers like differences in community-based sports and fitness programs, lack of familiarity with local customs, and language barriers hinder participation in physical activities in the new environment.

• Financial constraints including limited funds for gym memberships and sports equipment are also major contributors to the inability to participate in physical activities.

• Environmental factors such as differences in climate and urban infrastructure, limited access to green spaces and walkable areas, especially in urbanized regions lead to difficulties in incorporating regular physical activity.

• Increased academic demands lead to limited time for regular physical activity. This is especially common for first-year students.

• Mental health challenges like adjusting to a new environment and dealing with homesickness result in decreased physical activity.

• A global study indicated 60% of university students do not meet recommended physical activity levels.

• Limited social support systems and lack of familiarity with local recreational activities contribute to this particular risk amongst international students.

• Physical inactivity is associated with weight gain, reduced fitness, and chronic health issues for non-local students.

Strategies for Addressing Issues

• Offering culturally inclusive fitness programs and multilingual support materials and resources.

• Providing financial assistance or subsidies for sports facilities.

• Creating awareness campaigns highlighting the importance of physical activity for mental and physical well-being.

• Collaboration between universities, local governments, and communities is emphasized to create a supportive, inclusive, and accessible environment for physical activity.

Factors Contributing to Poor Sleep in University Students

• This study examines factors among 256 university students (52% female, 48% male, average age 20.7 years) in Turkey, categorizing factors into environmental, psychological, biological and social categories.
• Environmental: Exposure to tobacco smoke (63.7%), noise (61.7%), poor air quality (55.1%), and room scents like sweat and perfume (53.1%) were key contributors to poor sleep. Noise from other people is also a significant issue (52.0%).
• Psychological: Psychological issues (67.2%), stress (64.8%), sadness (53.1%), depression (51.6%), and anxiety (51.1%) were found to be significant factors affecting sleep.
• Biological: Pain (62.9%), illness (55.1%), strenuous physical activity (53.9%) and fatigue (53.5%) significantly impacted sleep.
• Social: Family problems (62.5%) played a major role in affecting sleep quality for students.
• Highlighting the correlation between academic demands, mental health challenges, and decreased physical activity.
• Research emphasizes the need for stress management, better sleep hygiene, and systemic education for students to improve their sleep quality.

This quiz explores the challenges faced by non-local students, particularly international ones, in maintaining a healthy diet while studying abroad. It highlights the impact of dietary acculturation, financial constraints, and the struggle to find culturally appropriate food. Gain insights into how these factors contribute to the overall well-being of international students.