Consumption of selected groups of food products by medical and non-medical students during the Covid-19 pandemic

Background. A properly balanced diet should provide multiple valuable nutrients necessary for the proper functioning of the body through the proper frequency of consuming food products that are their source. This is particularly important during the pandemic when there is a need to support the immune system. Objective. The aim of the study was to assess the frequency of consumption of selected groups of food products and to determine whether this frequency differs among medical and non-medical students in the period before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Material and methods. The study was conducted among 435 Polish and Turkish students using an original questionnaire. The proper study was preceded by a pilot study in 40 participants.The Wilcoxon test was used to assess the differences in the frequency of consumption of selected groups of products among medical and non-medical students both during and before the pandemic. A value of p