DETERMINATION OF OBESITY RISKS, NUTRITION HABITS AND KNOWLEDGE LEVELS OF SIIRT UNIVERSITY HEALTH SCHOOL STUDENTS

Abstract

Nowadays, reasons such as deterioration of healthy eating habits, increasing the variety and accessibility of foods that contain food additives in order to increase shelf life and taste, increased consumption of ready-made foods and decreased physical activities pose important health risks. The studies carried out to give students a healthy eating habit, improve their knowledge of nutrition, reduce the risk of obesity and change their malnutrition habits are increasing their importance day by day. In our research we have done in this context; Demographic characteristics, body mass indexes, nutritional habits, nutritional knowledge levels and obesity risks of normal and evening education students who continue their education at Siirt University School of Health were determined. The data were collected with the help of a questionnaire using face to face interview technique. The obtained data was evaluated scientifically using IBM SPSS Statistics program. A total of 681 students participated in the survey, 369 women (54.2%) and 312 men (48.8%). The proportion of students who have taken any nutrition lessons throughout their education is (67%). Chronic illness exists in (10.4)% of students. The rate of students who use medicine constantly is 4.4%. Smoking and alcohol use are (21.1)% and (6)%, respectively. (24.2)% of students do not do any sports. (76.9)% of the students do not find the nutrition facilities on the university campus sufficient. (55.9)% of them have fast food eating habits. Students' Body Mass Indexes range from a min of 14.6 to a max of 34.13. According to the WHO grouping, (10.7)% of the students were evaluated as weak, (75.2)% as normal, (13)% as slightly obese, and (1.1)% as obese.According to the results of the research, it is recommended to provide nutrition education in all departments of the university in order to correct the malpractice habits of university students and provide them with a healthier lifestyle.