This study aimed to examine the relationships among convenience food consumption, tendencies toward Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Nutrition Quotient for Adult in university students. An online survey was conducted with 440 stude...
This study aimed to examine the relationships among convenience food consumption, tendencies toward Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Nutrition Quotient for Adult in university students. An online survey was conducted with 440 students from universities located in the Seoul metropolitan area, and data from a total of 400 respondents were analyzed.
This study included 180 male students(45%) and 220 female students(55%). Analysis of BMI distribution revealed a significantly higher proportion of underweight individuals among females compared to males(P<0.001). There was also a significant gender difference in the frequency of convenience food consumption(P=0.020).
Participants were categorized into two groups based on their Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder(ADHD) tendency: the ADHD tendency group(n=206, 51.5%) and the non-tendency group(n=194, 48.5%). The distribution of convenience food consumption frequency differed significantly between the two groups(P<0.001). When examining the frequency of consumption by food type, the ADHD tendency group showed significantly higher intake frequencies for all convenience food categories (Ready-to-cook food, Fresh-cut product, Ready-to-eat food, and Meal kit) except for bread, sandwiches, and salads.
Correlation analysis indicated that the total Nutrition Quotient had significant negative correlations with ADHD tendency(r=-0.185, P<0.01) and convenience food consumption frequency(r=-0.226, P<0.05), while convenience food consumption frequency was positively correlated with ADHD tendency(r=0.360, P<0.01).
Multiple regression analysis indicated that higher ADHD tendency scores were associated with increased frequency of convenience food consumption (β=0.272), greater academic stress (β=0.134), as well as lower scores for Nutrition Quotient, lower scores for handwashing before meals (β=-0.258), lower scores for overeating or binge eating (β=-0.208), lower scores for processed meat consumption (β=-0.128), and lower scores for excessive drinking (β=-0.136). Compared to humanities majors, students in natural science and engineering fields exhibited significantly lower ADHD tendencies (β=-0.095).
Nutrition education is needed to prevent university students from overconsuming convenience foods and developing nutritional imbalances. However, considering current trends such as the increased availability of healthier convenience foods, education should not aim to completely eliminate convenience food consumption, but rather to guide students in making appropriate nutritional choices. In addition, interventions should be developed that take into account university students with ADHD tendencies.
Although this study is limited by its regional scope (metropolitan area) and the use of self-reported ADHD tendencies rather than clinical diagnoses, it provides valuable foundational data for developing nutrition education strategies to promote healthy eating and mental well-being among university students.