College-going age is a critical period of growth and development in the human life span. Over the last two decades, increased urbanization and globalization have brought significant changes in the lifestyle and dietary patterns of college-going boys. The present study aimed to assess the daily dietary habits and Body Mass Index (BMI) of college-going boys in Bhubaneswar. A total of 150 college-going boys were selected randomly for the study. The findings revealed that the majority of the respondents 76.7% followed a non-vegetarian diet, whereas only 23.3% were vegetarians, indicating a clear preference for non-vegetarian food among the study population. Assessment of BMI showed that the majority of the boys 64.7% fell within the normal weight category, while comparatively fewer respondents were underweight or overweight. Although most students maintained a normal nutritional status, unhealthy dietary behaviors-particularly frequent fast-food consumption and irregular eating patterns-may increase the risk of overweight and obesity in the future. The study highlights the need for targeted nutritional education, promotion of healthy eating habits, and awareness programs among college students to ensure better long-term health and well-being.
Banalata panigrahi (Fri,) studied this question.