Dietary fibre and their food sources in nutrition of student population

The aim of this paper was to determine nutritional habits of a part of student population in eastern Croatia with regard to dietary fibre intake and their food sources. This research was conducted in spring with 124 students (67 female and 57 male participants). Dietary fibre intakes and certain food sources were determined by a food frequency questionnaire. The mean daily intake of total dietary fibre was 23.6 g (22.4 g and 24.5 g for females and males, respectively), or 10.4 g/1000 kcal (10.9 g/1000 kcal and 9.9 g/1000 kcal for females and males, respectively; p < 0.05), which can be considered satisfactory in relation to the recommendations and the research period. The consumption of foods that are a source of dietary fibre was adequate as well. The mean consumption of fruits and vegetables was 646.4 g/day in total. Female students had significantly higher fruits intake (356.5 g/day and 266.2 g/day for females and males, respectively; p < 0.05). The mean cereal products intake was 297.2 g/day in total (247.7 g/day and 355.4 g/day for females and males, respectively; p < 0.001). To sum up, although it is believed that young people generally have inadequate nutritional habits, the obtained data indicate that this population sample has satisfactory nutritional habits regarding researched parameters.