Optimal Calorie Intake for Undergraduate Students During University Hours

Abstract

The transition to university marks a significant phase for many young adults, characterised by academic pursuits, physical growth, and independence in decision-making. However, this period also introduces new challenges due to the nature of the phase like stress-related eating habits, irregular dietary habits, limited physical activity, and reliance on processed food due to time constraints. The aim of this study is to estimate the recommended calorie intake for a Junior undergraduate student (17 Credit Hours) in a small-sized university (36.7 acres) during university hours using the calculated energy expenditure of on-campus activities. A 5 week-day schedule was used to record the average duration of activities. In addition, surveyed demographical data (age, weight, height, and sleep duration) was used to calculate the energy expenditure using the Harris-Benedict (H-B) formula, published literature, and our data recordings. The findings show the recommended calorie intake for optimal nutrition during university hours for a junior Industrial Engineering student in a small campus to be 1224.73 ± 314.41 kcal.

Keywords: calorie intake, energy expenditure, recommended nutrition, stress-related eating habits, physical activity.

DOI: 10.54941/ahfe1005287