The aim of this study was to evaluate daily menus at students' restaurants and to report dietary habits and other health-related behaviour of Croatian university students (n=2075) according to gender. A specially designed self-administered questionnaire was used. One hundred and twenty daily menus were chosen by random sampling, and the nutritive value was calculated using food composition tables. Daily menus on average provide an adequate amount of energy, protein and most micronutrients: 88.2% of daily menus provide a balanced intake of protein, fat and carbohydrates, 22.5% of daily menus provide more than 300 mg of cholesterol, and 58.8% have more than 25 g dietary fibre. On average, students had 2.4 meals and 1.3 snacks per day. Breakfast was the most often skipped meal. Red meat, cereals and fast food were consumed more often by males (P<0.05). Low-fat dairy products, whole grain products and breakfast cereals were consumed more often by females (P<0.05). The most common choice for snacks was fruit. Males exercised more than females (4.4 h/week versus 1.6 h/week; P<0.05). A higher percentage of females (29.8%) than males (17.2%) smoked cigarettes. For alcohol consumption it was vice versa: 88.9 and 84.8% of males and females, respectively. A total of 80.4% of students were well nourished. This study showed that meals offered at students' restaurants are adequate. Dietary and other health-related behaviour differed according to gender. Clustering of some behaviours was observed.

The aim of the study was to evaluate diet quality and nutrient intakes in Croatian university students, which are missing for the past 15 years, and also to report the prevalence of overweight/obesity and underweight. The subjects were 663 students (average age 22 years), representing 0.6% of all Croatian university students. The Quantified Food Frequency Questionnaire, checked for reproducibility and validity, was used for dietary assessment. Students on average had an adequate number of daily meals and snacks, but consumption of breakfast was irregular, particularly for men. The average energy intake was 130.1% of the dietary reference intake and the protein intake was more than double the dietary reference intake in 64.3% students. Dietary fiber, iron (in females), calcium, zinc, folate, and vitamins C, A and E intake were below recommendations in both genders. Only 3.8% of females and 21.9% of males were overweight/obese (body mass index >25 kg/m²). Nutrient intakes significantly differed according to gender and better macronutrient but not micronutrient intakes were observed in females.

Objective: To compare micronutrient intakes and status in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE) with those in other European countries and with reference values.Design: Review of the micronutrient intake/status data from open access and grey literature sources from CEE.Setting: Micronutrients studied were folate, iodine, Fe, vitamin B₁₂and Zn (for intake and status) and Ca, Cu, Se, vitamin C and vitamin D (for intake). Intake data were based on validated dietary assessment methods; mean intakes were compared with average nutrient requirements set by the Nordic countries or the US Institute of Medicine. Nutritional status was assessed using the status biomarkers and cut-off levels recommended primarily by the WHO.Subjects: For all population groups in CEE, the mean intake and mean/median status levels were compared between countries and regions: CEE, Scandinavia, Western Europe and Mediterranean.Results: Mean micronutrient intakes of adults in the CEE region were in the same range as those from other European regions, with exception of Ca (lower in CEE). CEE children and adolescents had poorer iodine status, and intakes of Ca, folate and vitamin D were below the reference values.Conclusions: CEE countries are lacking comparable studies on micronutrient intake/status across all age ranges, especially in children. Available evidence showed no differences in micronutrient intake/status in CEE populations in comparison with other European regions, except for Ca intake in adults and iodine and Fe status in children. The identified knowledge gaps urge further research on micronutrient intake/status of CEE populations to make a basis for evidence-based nutrition policy.