Impact of Eating Habits and lifestyle on Hemoglobin Levels among University Students

Abstract

Hemoglobin is an important indicator of nutritional and health status, and it is directly affected by nutritional habits. University students often experience changes in their eating habits due to study stress, irregular meals, and reliance on fast food. These habits contribute to defects in essential nutrients for hemoglobin production. Analytic cross-sectional study was conducted purposive sampling method selected (413) students from at Al-Furat Al-Awsat Technical University Campus in Kufa, the study sample in this research was collected using a pre-designed questionnaire, in addition to blood samples taken to measure hemoglobin levels. The work started from November 9^th, 2025 to January 8^th, 2026. The results showed that the average age of the subjects was (20.51 ± 1.72) years, with the largest percentage (56.9%) aged 18–20 years. The study showed that 40.7% of the students are suffering from anemia, with an average hemoglobin level of (13.05 ± 1.96) g/dL. Statistically significant correlations (p < 0.05) were found between hemoglobin and behavioral variables; anemia was associated with skipping breakfast (24.9% never had breakfast) and excessive caffeine consumption. Significant differences (p = 0.000) were found in lifestyle variables related to sleep duration (180 students sleep only 4–6 hours) and smoking behavior (cigarettes and shisha), while other variables did not show the same level of statistical significance. Hemoglobin levels are significantly correlated with dietary habits and lifestyle choices rather than socio-demographic variables. Focused nutritional interventions and awareness initiatives are essential to enhancing students' hematological health.