The effect of nutrition education on food choice, cholesterol intake and body composition

The aim of this study is to assess the factors affecting food choice among students who receive and does not receive nutrition education and evaluate these factors with dietary total fat intake and anthropometric measurements. A total of 308 nursing students participated in the study between the ages of 18-34, with %82 female (n = 253) and %18 male (n = 55). A questionnaire was administered face-to-face in order to determine individuals' general characteristics, nutrition habits, anthropometric measurements (weight, height,waist circumference, hip circumference, wrist circumference, body fat percentage, muscle mass, body water percentage), food consumption, Food Choice Questionere (FCQ) for food choice reasons, and MEDFICTS (Meats, Eggs, Dairy, Fried foods, fat In baked goods, Convenience foods, fats added at the Table and Snacks) nutritional assessment. The average age of students was 20,7±1,65 years for women, 21,1±1,69 years for men. %33,2 of females and %45,5 of males received nutrition education. There was no significant relationship between total fat intake, saturated fat intake, cholesterol intake and MEDFICTS total scores in those who did or did not receive nutrition education (p>0,05). For who received nutrition education, sensory appeal (3,27±0,68) and mood (3,04±0,75) were found as the most important causes and ethical concern (2,49±0,74) and weight control(2,50±0,68) were found as the most unimportant causes for food choices. For who was not received nutrition education, sensory appeal (3,24±0,63), familiarity (2,88±0,69) and price (2,88±0,74) were found as the most important cause and ethical concern (2,42±0,90) and weight control (2,54±0,88) were found as the most unimportant causes for food choices. Body weight, bady mass index (BMI), fat percentage, percentage of water, waist circumference, and hip circumference were found to be statistically significant in women who received nutrition education (p<0,05). Height, muscle mass, wrist circumference, waist/hip ratio were not found significant in women (p>0,05). There was no anthropometric data was found significant those who did or did not receive nutrition education in men (p>0,05). According to the results of the study, it was found that nutrition education may be effect on choosing healthy nutrients, body composition, and may not effect on cholesterol and fat intake. Nutrition education is necessary for the conservation and development of health and community health can be improved through the education provided to schools.