Introduction. Health is a value that is changing due to different socio-economic, demographic and cultural determinants. The value of health is determined based on private beliefs of an individual and his/her lifestyle. Health as a value is very often identified with happiness, fulfilment, wealth, and prosperity. Aim. The paper aims at the evaluation of the value of health in the perception of students in terms of socio-demographic determinants (sex, place of residence during studies), and their eating habits. Material and methods. The survey was conducted among 104 persons aged between 24–27 years – students of the 6th year at the Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin and the 2nd year at the Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw. It was prepared using The List of Health Criteria (lista kryteriów zdrowia, LKZ) after Juszczyński, which, according to the surveyed, describes health as a state, result, process, features and goal. The eating habits of the surveyed were assessed by a point method according to Starzyńska with the author’s own modification. Results. Surveyed students describe health above all as a state and characteristics. When compared to people from rural areas, people who live in cities define health first of all as a state and a characteristic: the absence of physical upsets and good health condition (p < 0.05). Students who during studies live in their family houses perceive health as: the absence of physical upsets. However, for students who stay in rented flats health means that all body parts work efficiently. What is more, the surveyed students living in dorms define health as: self-acceptance and the awareness of their own possibilities. The eating habits of the surveyed can be determined as average. The correlation analysis revealed significant negative correlation between the statements of the LKZ: ‘to know how to enjoy life and how to feel good’ and the dietary evaluation (respectively: R = -0.27; p = 0.005 and R = -0.29). Conclusions. The greatest importance assigned to health by the subjects included health as a state, result and features. The health as a goal appeared to be less significant.

Key words: the value of health, students, eating habits, socio-demographic characteristics.