The Effects of university students' daily eating habits and physical activities on obesity incidence

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of daily eating habits and physical activity status of 327 (237 women, 90 men) volunteer students at Dumlupınar University Altıntaş Vocational School on obesity. A questionnaire was used as a data collection tool. Body mass index (BMI) was calculated according to height-weight status of students considering gender differences and these results were compared with socio-demographic characteristics, feeding habits, physical activity status. According to the findings, body mass index value of 69,6% of the female students was “normal”, while 13,9% were “overweight” and 3,3% were “obese” (2,9% was obesity class I and 0,4% was obesity class II). BMI value of 71,1% of the male students was “normal”, 24,4% were “overweight” and 2,2% were “obese” (whole of this was obesity calss I). It was found that 87,7% of the overweight, obesity class I and obesity class II students skipped meals. There was a statistically significant relationship between skipping meals and being overweight. The aim of this study was to increase the awareness of students about obesity. At the same time, considering that one out of every 5 university students was overweight and a significant majority of them do not have regular eating and sports habits, it was aimed to draw attention to the importance of trainings to increase regular nutrition and physical activity in schools.

Keywords

• Nutrition
• Obesity
• Eating habits
• Physical activity

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