Sağlık Bilimleri Fakültesi Öğrencilerinin Sağlıklı Beslenme ve Fiziksel Aktiviteyle İlgili Tutumlarının Değerlendirilmesi

Abstract

The foundations of a healthy life are laid during youth, and healthy nutrition and regular physical activity are not only two key determinants of health but also two main factors decreasing age-related health risks. Universities are the ideal environments for increasing this awareness and educating university students that constitute the majority of young population on healthy behavioral choices. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the attitudes of the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences (Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation and Department of Nutrition and Dietetics) at a foundation university towards healthy nutrition and physical activity. Methods: The total number of students in the Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation and Department of Nutrition and Dietetics was 467. The study aimed to reach the whole universe and was conducted with 339 students (73%) that consented to participate. Study data were collected via faceto-face surveys that covered the sociodemographic data form, demographic data questions of the modified survey by the University of North Florida on Diet and Exercise and the survey including the Body Image Scale. The study received an approval from the Scientific Researches Ethics Council of the School of Medicine of Trakya University (TÜTF-BAEK 2019/163). Study data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 program. Significance level was p<0.05. Chi-square analysis was used for group comparisons as the data were categorical variables. Results: While the Cronbach's α coefficient was 0.91 in the original Body Image Scale, it was 0.959 in our study. In addition, while prediction point was 135 in the original scale, it was 134.5 according to our ROC analysis. 49.6% of students stated that they did not exercise; 27.1% of those associated it with "lack of time" while 17.1% cited "lack of willpower". 54% of students considered their diets unhealthy. There was a statistically significant difference between lack of exercise and gender (p<0.05). 81% of females did not exercise at all while 19% of males did not exercise. Among students whose body image perception was below average, the number of those not exercising (n=52) was higher than those exercising (n=36), and this was statistically significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: According to results of this study, university students should be provided with awareness programs on healthy nutrition and exercise to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors.

Dietary Habits and Physical Exercise among Nursing Students in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

“…Alzamil H et al 2019 agreed with the present study and found that; high proportion of the participants consumed breakfast or vegetables 5 days per week, whereas the corresponding proportions for fresh fruit were low adding; proportions of college females who consumed less healthy foods for 3 and more times per day every week were ranging from 21.1% for French fries to 60.4% for chocolates and or candy [8]. The main finding of Hassan et al's study was that university students have unhealthy eating practices [16], Further, Gunes F et al, found that fewer than half of their participants ate the daily recommended amount of fruits and vegetables [17], these findings also were consistent agreed and supported with previous research results on college students from different countries [2,[18][19][20][21][22].…”

Impact of Metacognition on Health-Related Behavior: A Mediation Model Study

“…Numerous studies have shown that attitude toward physical exercise is closely correlated with health-related behavior. A recent study on college students indicated that a healthy diet and an attitude toward physical exercise can promote the cultivation of a healthy lifestyle [ 24 ]. College students should be fully aware of the potential health threats of poor eating habits and being overweight.…”

Gender Differences in Healthy Lifestyle, Body Consciousness, and the Use of Social Networks among Medical Students

“…During the period of their academic studies (late youth), students should be physically and mentally healthy, practicing an active life and having healthy eating behaviors to maintain their health status. They need a good physical and mental condition to cope with the effort required during their academic years and to have a satisfactory body image [ 5 , 8 ]. A poor perception of well-being can lead to less involvement in good self-care practices or poor adherence to interventional programs, while a perceived good or excellent level of well-being is associated with good personal care [ 9 ].…”

“…Such means of mass communication and various sociocultural pressures are considered to cause an increased awareness of being thin as an ideal and contribute to the misperception of body weight [ 17 ]. Media has a significant impact on body image as a powerful force that uses various aspects, including the internet, television, magazines, video games, and smartphones to present the ideal of beauty [ 8 ]. Currently, media promotes a slim figure model among women and muscular/athletic figure among men, promoting foods and diets with inadequate nutritional value, which can also lead to unwanted nutritional and health behaviors and the nonacceptance of body weight [ 7 ].…”