One in five university students turns to fatty or high-sugar “comfort food” to cope with stress during their studies, research has shown.

Stress management programmes would help them maintain a healthy diet under pressure, according to the study published in the Malta Medical Journal.

Authors Carmel Cefai and Liberato Camilleri questioned 494 students from various faculties, seven per cent of the student population.

The study, which looked into the dietary habits of Maltese university students, revealed “rather unhealthy” eating habits.

Half of them had less than two servings of fruit or vegetables per day and only 15 per cent had at least five servings as recommended by the WHO.

Only 44 per cent had a daily breakfast and there was the tendency to opt for unhealthy snacks while on campus.

White bread rolls and sandwiches were the most commonly consumed snacks, followed by chocolate. Salads were the least selected snack.

When it came to drinks, however, the majority preferred water followed by soft drinks, tea and coffee. About two thirds of students thought they were the right weight, a quarter described themselves as overweight, while about 11 per cent believed they were underweight. Almost 24 per cent of university students said they were on a diet and 34 per cent planned to start one.

The majority, 56 per cent, exercised to lose weight, 38 per cent used a dieting programme and eight per cent used other methods such a vomiting, pills or smoking.

Students felt the need to have healthier food in their canteen, a salad bar near campus and suggested having free drinking water and vending machines that sold healthy food.

They also recommended having regular campaigns to raise awareness on healthy eating, more nutrition education and counselling on campus.