Evaluation of the Attitudes of the Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences towards Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity

Objective: 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 face-to-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 (TUTF-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 alpha 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.