An investigation into the dietary intake and associated determinants in third level students in Ireland

An enthusiastic and organised fulltime research student is required to participate in a multi-centre study examining dietary intake and its determinants in third level students in Ireland. When students enter third level they can experience changes in food intake, dietary patterns and activity levels which can lead to weight gain and poor health. Heavy assignment loads, part-time jobs and irregular class schedules can disrupt eating patterns amongst students, leading to unhealthy habits which can become lifelong behaviours ultimately contributing to health issues later in life. Improving dietary quality and preventing excessive weight gain is pertinent for the reduction of chronic disease later in life, therefore a better understanding of health behaviours during this time is required to implement appropriate intervention strategies.
This is a cross-sectional study using a mixed-methods approach. This project is being led by Ms. Laura Keaver, Clinical Health and Nutrition Research Centre, Department of Health and Nutritional Science, Institute of Technology, Sligo and will involve internal collaborations with the Healthy Campus and Wellbeing Committee and external collaborations with Technological University Dublin. The position is a two-year, full-time, funded master’s at the Institute of Technology Sligo.