The evaluation of Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University department of Nutrition and Dietetics students' anthropometric measurements and of the relationship between mediterranean diet and nutritional habits

This research was conducted on 174 volunteer students who study at Department of Nutrition and Dietetics at Tekirdağ Namık Kemal University and supply the criteria of participation between January 2020 and May 2021. In the study conducted with 54 the fourth grade students between aged 18-24, and 65 the third grade students, and 59 the second grade students, it aims to evaluate the possible relationship between Quality Index and anthropometric measurements by determining the students' abilities to apply their academic knowledge about the Mediterranean Diet Quality Index and healthy lifestyles in their own lives and their obsession with healthy nutrition. A questionnaire form was applied to the students participating in the study by face to face interview method. Furthermore, the scope of the questionnaire form, anthropometric measurements, and body invention were determined. As a result of these evaluations, the average of the Mediterranean diet quality index of the students; 5,3 ± 2,95; ORTO-11 scale mean scores were found to be 24,75 ± 6,48. The average body weight of the students was found to be 59,7 ± 11,1 kg, and their average body mass index (BMI) was determined as 21,72 ± 3,1. In our study, it was determined that as the level of education increased, the compliance with the Mediterranean diet increased. Moreover, as the Mediterranean diet quality index scores of the students increased, their body mass index (BMI) values, and ORTO-11 scale scores decreased statistically (p <0,05). In conclusion, it has been determined that thecompliance with the Mediterranean diet affects the body body, body mass index and body composition of the bodies positively, and orthorexic behaviors increase with the increase of compliance with the Mediterranean diet. Keywords: Healthy Eating, Mediterranean Diet, BMI, Body Composition, Orthorexia Nervosa