Intake of Fat-Soluble Vitamins Among Undergraduate College Students Attending North Dakota State University
Abstract
Fat-soluble vitamins are essential micronutrients that are critical in normal physiological processes. Deficiencies can pose increased risk of chronic diseases. This may be particularly important among college students, since the majority of this population is in peak phases of development. The purpose of this study was to determine intake of fat-soluble vitamins in 352 (212 males, 140 females) students. Students completed dietary analyses of their 72-hour food record, which were analyzed to determine if student intake met Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) recommendations. Additional analyses determined relationships between intake and gender, age, and frequency of attending a dining center. Few students met DRI for fat-soluble vitamins A (21%), D (3%), and E (7%). Moreover, <1% of students met the DRI for all 3 vitamins. Frequency of attending a dining center did not improve fat-soluble vitamin intake. In summary, few students are meeting DRI guidelines of fat-soluble vitamins.