Comparative Study to Assess the Practices Regarding Fad Diets Among Medical and Non-Medical Students of Lahore

Saba Nadeem Dar; Aqsa Nadeem; Urooj Arshad; Sayyeda Aatika Ejaz; Hooria Akhter; Aqsa Waheed; Arooba Naeem

doi:10.46663/ajsmu.v12i1.3-7

Saba Nadeem Dar Assistant Professor, Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Aqsa Nadeem Assistant Professor, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Urooj Arshad Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Sayyeda Aatika Ejaz Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Hooria Akhter Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Aqsa Waheed Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Arooba Naeem Department of Nutrition and Dietetics, University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.46663/ajsmu.v12i1.3-7

Keywords: fad diet, medical student, non medical student

Abstract

Objectives: To compare the practices and assess the experiences regarding fad diets among medical
and non-medical students
Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 378 students (189 from medical and 189 from
non-medical institutions) from different universities of Lahore, through an online survey.
Result: Majority of the medical (47%) and non-medical (56%) students were satisfied with their
weights. The majority of respondents did not follow fad diets. Among those who did, medical students
were 17.5% and non-medical students were 21.69% but p-value (>0.05) showed insignificant
difference between them. Both medical (24.87%) and non-medical (19.58%) students reported no
changes in their weights resulting from the fad diets. However, the majority of medical (31.75%)
and non-medical (21.6%) students also did not experience any side effects. A total of 25.93% medical
and 28.04% non-medical students recommended these diets to others.
Conclusion: This study states that majority of the students of both medical and non-medical domains
did not follow any fad diet, while those who tried fad diets, experienced few health consequences
and therefore their majority will recommend it to others. This study demonstrates that there is no
significant difference between medical and non-medical students in terms of practices and experiences
regarding fad diets.

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Comparative Study to Assess the Practices Regarding Fad Diets Among Medical and Non-Medical Students of Lahore

Comparison of Fad Diet Practices Among Students

Abstract

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