1 *M. RangaPriya, 1A. Naresh, 1Kaviya R, 1Lalitha P, 1Leemarose A, 1 Sridhar A, 1R. Manivannan
A B S T R A C T
College students often experience dramatic lifestyle and dietary changes that can influence
their physical and emotional well-being. This study explored how food patterns and diet
management affect the quality of life (QOL) among college students in Tamil Nadu, India. A
cross-sectional survey was carried out among 523 students aged 18–25 years using a structured
questionnaire that collected details about demographics, dietary behavior, and QOL using the
WHOQOL-BREF tool. The results showed that while many students understood the importance of
balanced diets, time constraints and academic pressure often led to skipped meals and frequent
consumption of fast food. Students who practiced better dietary management such as regular
meal intake, proper hydration, fruit and vegetable consumption reported higher satisfaction
with their health and overall quality of life. These findings emphasize the need for better
nutrition education and institutional efforts to promote healthy eating habits on campus.
Encouraging balanced diets and mindful food choices can contribute to improved well-being and
academic performance among college students.
Keywords: Dietary patterns, diet management, quality of life, college students, nutrition,
public health.