This study utilized a researcher revised tool that aimed to assess the frequency of meals and food choices of first years' students of college of Arts and Sciences. The following question serves as the guidepost in conducting the study specifically; it determines the profile of students with respect to: age, gender, Body Mass Index (BMI). It determined the frequency of meals followed by students and the food choices per meal. It also determined the three common foods taken per meals as to breakfast, lunch and dinner.
There were 63% female respondents and 21% male respondents, out of 84 respondents in this study. There were a number of 21 respondents who were 16 years old, another 40 of the respondents are 17 years old, 10 of them are 18 years old, 5 of them are 19 years old, there are 4 of them who are 20 years, and 2 of the respondents are 22 years old and 23 years old. Majority of the respondents have normal weight (n=49), followed by overweight (n=16), then underweight (n=13) and lastly, obese (n=6), as arranged respectively. Out of 84 respondents, 38 ate 5 times a day, 19 ate 4 times a day, 23 ate thrice a day and 4 of them ate twice a day. The researchers also found the top 3 foods for breakfast are rice/bread, processed foods, and meat, and as for the beverages, the top 3 most common drinks the respondents' prefer are water, juices and milk. For lunch, rice, meat and fries are the most common foods and water, juices and soft drinks are the top 3 most common beverages during lunch time. Lastly, for dinner, rice, meat and vegetables are the most common foods preferable by the respondents and water, juices and milk for the beverages at any given time.
It was concluded that the frequency of meals taken mostly by first year students of Cebu Doctors' University was five times a day which includes breakfast, morning snacks, lunch, afternoon snacks, and dinner. The respondents' food choices were usually rice or bread, meat and processed foods and their common beverage were water, juice, and milk. Based on the findings, the researchers would like to recommend eat the right kinds of food at the right time, have a balanced and well-nourished meal to be taken daily, know the corresponding content of each food and the methods of preparation used, Included fruits and vegetables regularly in meals, Drink plenty of water and healthy beverages. In the interest of future studies, the researcher would like to the recommend to do assessments with more food choices.