In the school year 1998/99 the author assessed in 202 fifth year students of the First Medical Faculty, Charles University Prague (91 men, 111 women) the dietary habits by means of a questionnaire focused on the frequency of consumption of selected foods, regularity of meals and the perception of students as regards desirable changes of their dietary habits to meet current recommendations. Irregular meals and cumulation of food intake into a small number of daily meals was found. A positive feature is the frequent consumption of low-fat milk and dairy products, the restriction of visible fats and a satisfactory fluid intake. In the majority the intake of sweets does not exceed tolerated amounts, but in some men the sugar intake from soft drinks is high. There is an inadequate consumption of fruit and vegetables and high-fibre foods, an inadequate ratio of white and red meat and smoked meat products.Some of the students have also an excessive salt intake. The shortcomings are consistent with those in the Czech population and are consistent with our previous assessment of nutrient intake in students of the same faculty and year where in the diet inadequate amounts of dietary fibre, vitamin C, iron (in women) and to a smaller extent shortage of other vitamins and excessive amounts of fat and cholesterol (in men) were found.The great individual differences in the consumption of vegetables, fruit , high-fibre foods and sweetened beverages and the generally better dietary habits of women provide evidence of the efforts of some students to eat a healthy diet and this effort should be more supported in courses during their studies.

        Key words: students - dietary habits - nutritional intake