Over 75% of popular takeaway and restaurant meals in the UK are unhealthy, according to a study. Even more alarmingly, students are four times more likely to order takeaways than the average Brit, with almost half admitting to ordering at least three times per week.
First-year students can gain up to 6.8 kg (15 lb) in one year - five times the national average - a trend known as the ‘Freshers 15’. Chemist4U developed a University Health Index, ranking institutions based on key health-related factors.
These include the number of healthy shops and parks within a one km radius, access to sports facilities, clubs and wellbeing support programmes, along with broader city-level indicators like happiness, anxiety scores and air pollution levels.
Key findings:
- University of Oxford tops the list as the healthiest, thanks to over 300 sports clubs and activities, 37 outdoor facilities and 64 parks within walking distance.
- Birmingham Newman University ranks as the UK’s unhealthiest, with just one healthy shop (e.g. greengrocers, delis, health food outlets) within one km and one of the ten highest air pollution scores in the study.
- Leeds Trinity University places second worst, offering limited access to sports facilities and just 31 sports clubs - 259 fewer than neighbouring University of Leeds (290 clubs).
Jason Murphy, head of pharmacy and obesity expert at Chemist4U, commented: “University can be a perfect storm for unhealthy habits, which is why many students find themselves gaining weight in their first year. With newfound independence, academic pressures, late-night study sessions and easy access to takeaways and cheaper Ultra Processed Foods, health often takes a back seat, but this is also a golden window to build good habits that stick for life.
“Start with the basics such as aiming for three balanced meals a day, keeping healthy snacks like fruits or nuts on hand and drink plenty of water to keep hydrated. Often, tiredness or hunger is just dehydration in disguise. Try cooking in batches once or twice a week so you’ve got go-to meals ready when you’re busy. When it comes to fitness, consistency beats intensity.
“It’s about fitting health around student life, not overhauling everything overnight. Universities should see health as foundational, not optional. That means creating accessible environments where healthy choices are the easy ones - more green space, better food options and varied, low-pressure ways for students to stay active.”