Specification of nutritional and physical activity habits of university students

Purpose: Adoption of an inactive lifestyle and wrong nutritional habits during puberty leads to an increase in the risk of chronic illnesses during adulthood. Purpose of this study is to specify nutritional and physical activity habits of students of Kırıkkale University Health Sciences Faculty. Method: Students of Kırıkkale University Medical Sciences Faculty were included in the study. Their socio-demographic data was recorded and their nutritional behaviours/ habits were questioned. Their physical activity levels were specified by using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: Mean ages were 20.38±1.69 years for female students and 20.96±2.04 years for male students. Body Mass Index (BMI) was 21.10±3.21 kg/m2 for female students and 23.54±3.39 kg/m2 for male students. 45.8% of the students have their lunches at school or dormitory cafeteria, 49.5% have dinner outside of home or dormitory. 69.7% have breakfast every day. Having breakfast rate of male students is lower than female students (p<0.05). 55.4% of female students and 69.1% of male students drink 8-10 glasses of water a day. According to IPAQ scores, 8.5% of female students and 28.1% of male students have adequate physical activity levels. There was no meaningful correlation between BMI and total physical activity, medium level physical activity, walking scores, and sitting durations (p>0.05). Conclusions: Medical Sciences Faculty students do not have adequate physical activity levels. Regarding their nutritional habits, it is observed that they have some bad habits such as; skipping meals, not drinking enough water and milk, and preferring fast food. Medical professionals particularly have a duty to be role models in healthy life-style which includes both adequate and balanced nutrition and regular exercise. More comprehensive studies are needed to evaluate lifestyles of medical students and to plan corrective measures in our country.