Evaluation of the Attitudes of the Students of the Faculty of Health Sciences Towards Healthy Nutrition and Physical Activity
Abstract
Objective: The foundations of a healthy life are laid during youth. Healthy nutrition and regular physical activity beeing two key determinants of health, also the main factors decreasing age-related health risks. Universities are the ideal environments for increasing this awareness. This study aimed to evaluate the factors affecting the attitudes of the students of the Faculty of Health Sciences towards healthy nutrition and physical activity.
Method: 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. Only 339 students (73%) took part. The data were collected via face-to-face surveys that covered the socio-demographic data, demographic data questions of the modified survey by the University of North Florida on Diet and Exercise and the Body Image Scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS 25.0 program. Significance level was p<0.05.
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). 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).
Conclusion: According to results of this study, university students should be provided with awareness programs on healthy nutrition and exercise to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors.
Keywords
References
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Details
Primary Language
English
Subjects
Health Care Administration
Journal Section
Research Article
Authors
Ömer Önder
This is me
0000-0003-0762-6228
Türkiye
Muhsin Öztürk
This is me
0000-0002-3076-8251
Türkiye
Şeyda Yıldız
0000-0002-3917-2286
Türkiye
Ayşe Çaylan
*
0000-0001-8233-7325
Türkiye
Publication Date
October 20, 2020
Submission Date
May 7, 2020
Acceptance Date
June 15, 2020
Published in Issue
Year 2020 Volume: 12 Number: 3
Cited By
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Medicina
https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina57070648Impact of Metacognition on Health-Related Behavior: A Mediation Model Study
Journal of Environmental and Public Health
https://doi.org/10.1155/2023/6547804Sağlıklı Yaşamın Anahtarı: Fiziksel Aktivite ve Beslenme Tutumu Üzerine Bir Araştırma
Akdeniz Spor Bilimleri Dergisi
https://doi.org/10.38021/asbid.1687839


