Exploring dietary challenges and nutrition knowledge gaps among Hispanic and non-Hispanic student populations

Objective: Changes in dietary habits occur in college. Hispanic Americans have cultural backgrounds with distinct dietary patterns and barriers to healthy eating. The objective of this study is to assess differences in dietary patterns and barriers to healthy eating between Hispanic American and non-Hispanic American college students. Participants: We examined dietary habits and barriers of 135 Hispanic and 178 non-Hispanic college students (18–35 yrs) in the United States. Methods: Students were provided with an online survey. Results: Hispanic American students admit more “lack of knowledge about what foods are healthy” [χ2(1) = 9.415, p = . 002], consume less fruit (1.2 ± 0.8 vs 1.4 ± 1.1 servings/day, p = . 04), and report beef (41.5% vs 28.1%) as a main protein source [χ2(1) = 6.147, p = . 013]. More Hispanic students (64%) eat processed while more non-Hispanic students (50.6%) eat fresh foods [χ2(1) = 6.3, p = . 01]. Conclusion: Non-Hispanic students seem to have healthier food options, but Hispanic students admittedly have less knowledge about healthy eating.