Evaluation of the effects of nutritional status, healthy eating knowledge levels, and healthy lifestyle behaviors of service drivers using urban public transportation in Sakarya

This study aimed to raise awareness in the field by identifying drivers' health and nutrition-related habits and their level of awareness. It is a cross-sectional study conducted on shuttle drivers operating urban public transportation vehicles in Sakarya. A total of 284 male drivers (100%) aged between 18 and 64 years voluntarily participated in the study. Using a face-to-face survey method, general characteristics of the drivers, a nutrition knowledge level scale, and a healthy lifestyle behavior scale were administered, and 24-hour dietary intake data were recorded. The average Body Mass Index (BMI) was found to be 29.6±5.6 kg/m². It was determined that the participants did not meet the daily recommended intake levels for vitamin E, vitamin C, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, magnesium, and calcium. When evaluating the average total nutrition knowledge scores of the drivers, 255 individuals (89.8%) were found to have low levels of knowledge. It was observed that drivers with a moderate level of nutritional knowledge had higher intake levels of energy, macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins, fats), and various vitamins and minerals compared to those with low knowledge. Among participants with higher BMI values, the tendency to engage in healthy lifestyle behaviors decreased, and there were more negative outcomes in the nutrition sub-dimension (p<.05). Significant differences (p<.05) were found between the average nutrition knowledge scores and healthy lifestyle behavior scores of the drivers in the sub-dimensions of physical activity, spiritual development, and interpersonal relationships. As a result of the study, it was concluded that training should be provided to increase drivers' nutritional knowledge and improve their level of knowledge about healthy eating.