Evaluation of lifestyle risk factors for non-communicable diseases among nutrition and dietetics students

Non-communicable diseases (NCDs), also known as chronic diseases, are medical conditions associated with prolonged and slow progression. Most NCDs are not contagious and are the result of a variety of factors, including genetic, physiological, behavioral and environmental factors, and its prevalence continues to increase in all age groups worldwide. This study was planned to examine the prevalence of lifestyle risk factors (physical inactivity, tobacco, alcohol, nutrition, and overweight/obesity) for non-communicable diseases among students enrolled in the Department of Nutrition and Dietetics of the Faculty of Health Sciences at two public and private universities. The data were analyzed in the SPSS 2021 package program. The prevalences were calculated to identify risk factors for NCDs based on sociodemographic characteristics. Difference analyzes between the measurement type variables were examined with the t test. Statistical significance was accepted as p<0.05 in all analyzes. The study sample consisted of 266 students from state universities and 220 students from private universities. 14.9% of the students in the study are overweight or obese. The rate of being overweight or obese in women is significantly higher than in men. Those who consume milk and yogurt every day constitute 31.6% of all students, those who consume eggs every day constitute 17.1% of the study, and 8.6% of students do not consume eggs at all. 27.2% of the students in the study consume meat and cheese every day. Those who consume vegetables and fruits every day constitute 11.6% and 20.9% respectively. The rate of those who consume junk food every day was found to be significantly higher in private universities compared to public universities. Those who consumed alcohol in the last month constitute 44.6% of the students. 52.5% of the students have physical activity level once a week or less frequently. Fast food consumption rate constitutes 64.8% of the students in the state university and it was found to be statistically significantly higher than the private university. Those who consume carbonated beverages at least once a week constitute 58.8% of all students. The rate of consuming carbonated drinks at least once a week in women was found to be statistically significantly higher than in men. 25.1% of the students are active smokers. Based on the results of our study, it can be concluded that the prevalence of tobacco use, alcohol consumption, fast food consumption observed in university students, inadequate nutrition and physical activity level, and the management of non-communicable diseases should be directed towards the individual level by simply following a healthy lifestyle. In particular, college students are at risk for NCDs due to changes in lifestyles, reduced parental support, and stress. Given our study population, prospective cohort studies are needed to identify risk factors and their interactions.