A Study on Health Issues Due to Hostel Mess Food Among Students
Authors
Yash Pagaria
Sanjana Heerani
Vaishnavi Nimodiya
Introduction
Food provided in hostel messes is a primary source of daily nutrition for students living away from home. The quality, hygiene, and nutritional value of this food directly influence students’ health and well-being. In many hostels, students often report health problems such as stomach infections, weakness, and digestive disorders due to poor food quality. Understanding students’ perceptions regarding hostel mess food is essential to identify problem areas. This study analyzes students’ responses to health concerns related to hostel mess food using statistical tools.
Objective
To understand the underlying phenomenon of health issues arising due to consumption of hostel mess food among students.
Literature Review
1. World Health Organization (2015) highlighted that unhygienic food practices in institutional settings can lead to food-borne diseases, affecting physical health and productivity.
2. Gupta & Gupta (2018) found that poor nutritional quality in hostel food significantly impacts students’ immunity levels and overall health.
Data Collection
To understand the underlying phenomenon of the problem, structured questions were framed using a Linear scale.
Linear Questions
- Q1: I consume food from the hostel mess regularly.
- Q2: I avoid eating hostel mess food because of health concerns.
- Q3: I have experienced health issues after eating food from the hostel mess.
- Q4: I feel the hostel’s mess food lacks proper nutrition.
- Q5: I think improvements in hostel mess food quality are urgently required.
The data was collected through a Google Form survey circulated among hostel students. Responses were measured on a 5-point Linear scale ranging from Strongly Disagree (1) to Strongly Agree (5). Statistical tools such as Mean, Standard Deviation, Standard Error, and t-statistic were used for analysis.
Data Analysis
|
Question |
Mean |
Standard Deviation |
Standard Error |
t-Statistic |
Result |
|
Q1 |
3.51 |
1.46 |
0.15 |
0.35 |
Neutral |
|
Q2 |
3.98 |
1.01 |
0.10 |
0.97 |
Neutral |
|
Q3 |
4.11 |
1.04 |
0.10 |
1.06 |
Neutral |
|
Q4 |
4.04 |
1.09 |
0.11 |
0.95 |
Neutral |
|
Q5 |
4.31 |
1.01 |
0.10 |
1.29 |
Neutral |
Conclusion
1. I consume food from the hostel mess regularly.
Ø People are neutral regarding regular consumption of hostel mess food.
2. I avoid eating hostel mess food because of health concerns.
Ø People are neutral on avoiding hostel mess food due to health concerns.
3. I have experienced health issues after eating food from the hostel mess.
Ø People are neutral about experiencing health issues after consuming hostel mess food.
4. I feel the hostel mess food lacks proper nutrition.
Ø People are neutral regarding the nutritional adequacy of hostel mess food
5. I think improvements in hostel mess food quality are urgently required.
Ø People are neutral about the urgent need for improvements in hostel mess food quality.
References
World Health Organization. (2015). Food Safety and Foodborne Illness.
Gupta, R., & Gupta, S. (2018). Impact of Institutional Food Quality on Student Health.