Researchers studied 251 female college students majoring in nutrition to understand how their eating habits and lifestyle choices affected their weight. They found that students who ate healthier diets, spent more money on food, and spent less time on screens were more likely to have a healthy weight. The study suggests that colleges should offer better food options, teach nutrition classes, and provide places for students to exercise. These changes might help prevent weight gain during the college years, which is important because habits formed in college often last a lifetime.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How the food college students eat and their daily habits (like screen time and exercise) connect to whether they have a healthy weight
  • Who participated: 251 female college students, average age 22 years old, all studying nutrition and dietetics at a university in Colombia
  • Key finding: Students with better overall eating patterns and less screen time were more likely to have a normal, healthy weight. Diet quality was the strongest factor that predicted weight
  • What it means for you: If you’re a college student, paying attention to what you eat and limiting time on phones and computers may help you maintain a healthy weight. However, this study only shows a connection—it doesn’t prove that changing these habits will definitely change your weight

The Research Details

This was a snapshot study, meaning researchers collected information from all the students at one point in time rather than following them over months or years. The students answered detailed questionnaires about what they ate, how much time they spent on screens, their exercise habits, and other lifestyle factors. Trained nutrition experts measured their height and weight to calculate their BMI (body mass index), which is a number that shows if someone’s weight is healthy for their height. The researchers also created a diet quality score based on 35 different food groups to see how healthy each student’s overall eating pattern was.

College is a time when young adults are making their own food choices for the first time, and the habits they form can last their whole lives. By understanding what factors are most connected to healthy weight in college students, universities can create better programs and policies to help students stay healthy. This study focused on nutrition students specifically, who might be expected to know more about healthy eating than other students.

This study collected information directly from students using standardized questionnaires, which is a reliable method. The researchers used trained nutrition experts to measure weight and height, which reduces errors. However, because this was a snapshot study rather than following students over time, we can’t be sure that diet quality actually causes healthy weight—only that they’re connected. Also, the study only included female nutrition students at one university, so the results might not apply to all college students or to male students.

What the Results Show

The most important finding was that diet quality was the strongest predictor of whether students had a healthy weight. Students who ate a healthier overall diet were significantly more likely to have a normal BMI. Additionally, students who spent more money on food were more likely to have a healthy weight, possibly because they could afford more nutritious options. Students who had less screen time (watching TV, using phones and computers) also tended to have healthier weights. Interestingly, students who had health insurance through the contributory system were more likely to have normal weights, which might reflect better access to healthcare and nutrition information.

When researchers looked at specific foods, they found that eating high-sodium sauces frequently was connected to higher weight, while eating canned foods and drinking sugar-sweetened beverages showed weaker connections. However, these individual food connections were much weaker than the overall diet quality pattern, suggesting that what matters most is the complete picture of what someone eats, not just one or two foods.

These findings align with previous research showing that overall diet quality is more important for weight management than focusing on individual foods. The connection between screen time and weight has been well-established in other studies. The study adds to growing evidence that the college environment plays an important role in shaping students’ health habits, and that interventions at the university level could make a real difference.

This study only looked at female nutrition students at one university in Colombia, so the results might not apply to male students, students at other universities, or students in different countries with different food cultures. Because it was a snapshot study, researchers couldn’t prove that diet quality causes healthy weight—only that they’re connected. Students may not have accurately remembered or reported what they ate. The study didn’t measure physical activity directly, only screen time, so we don’t know how much students were actually exercising.

The Bottom Line

College students should focus on eating a variety of healthy foods rather than worrying about individual foods to avoid. Try to limit screen time and find time for physical activity. Universities should make healthy food options available and affordable in dining halls and campus stores, and should offer free nutrition education workshops. These changes appear to support healthy weight management based on moderate-strength evidence.

College students, especially those concerned about weight management, should pay attention to these findings. University administrators and dining services should use this information to improve food options and campus wellness programs. Parents of college students might find this helpful for understanding factors that influence their children’s health. This study is most relevant to female students but likely applies to male students as well. People who are not in college may find some of these principles helpful but should remember this study was specifically about college students.

Changes in eating habits and screen time might show effects on weight within a few weeks to a few months, though significant weight changes typically take longer. Building sustainable healthy habits usually takes several months of consistent effort.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track your daily diet quality by logging the variety of food groups you eat (aim for at least 5-7 different groups per day) and monitor your screen time in hours per day. Compare these weekly to see if reducing screen time correlates with feeling better or changes in how your clothes fit
  • Set a specific goal like ’eat foods from at least 6 different food groups daily’ and ’limit screen time to 2 hours on school days.’ Use the app to log meals and set phone/computer time limits, then review weekly progress
  • Weekly check-ins on diet variety score and screen time hours. Monthly tracking of how you feel, energy levels, and clothing fit rather than obsessing over weight. Quarterly reviews of overall lifestyle patterns to identify what’s working and what needs adjustment

This study shows associations between diet quality, lifestyle factors, and weight in college students, but does not prove cause-and-effect relationships. Individual results may vary based on genetics, metabolism, medical conditions, and other factors not measured in this study. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace personalized advice from a healthcare provider, registered dietitian, or doctor. If you have concerns about your weight or health, consult with a qualified healthcare professional. The study focused on female nutrition students at one university, so results may not apply to all populations.