Evaluation of nutritional status of university students by Mediterranean diet quality index

This study was conducted in Mersin province, with theaim of evaluating the physical activity levels and nutritional habits of university students. The sample comprised of 400 university students, 41,5% were females 58,5% were malesand. Data on general characteristics of the students were collected, body weights and heights were recorded nutritional habits were determined by food propensity questionnaire and physical activity recalls were determined with a questionnaire. Also data on the quality of the diet was collected with a Mediterranean Diet Quality Index(KIDMED) questionnaire. Mean (S) age the females were 21,1±1,7 years and the males were 21,6±1,9 years. Body massindex (BMI)of females were 21,5±3,2 kg/m², and the males were 23,8±3,8 kg/m². Majority of thestudents (73,0% of females and 61,5% of males) had normal BMI values (≥18,5-<24,9 kg/m). The smoking rate of the students is 54,2% for males and 35,5% for females. Alcohol use is 48,7% and 35,5% in male and female, respectively. 62.8% of male students and 63,9% of female students are skipped meals. The most skipped meals are breakfast meals with 68.0% for males and 53,8% for females. 35,4% of males and 37,8% of females missed meals due to lack of time. 51,7% of male students and 29,5% of female students are regularly exercising. Most of the students consume milk, yogurt everyday (29,1% for males and 27,7% for females). Red meat consumption is usually 1-2 times a week (36,3% in males and 31,3% in females), while fish consumption is usually 1 per month (33,8% in males and 39,8% in females). In both groups, more than half of the students consume white bread daily (51,3% in males, 50,6% in males). Cola drinks (29,1% for males, 25,9% for females), tea (73,9% for males, 63,9% for females) and coffee (33,3% for males and 42,2% for females) are preferred daily. The proportion of students' energy needs to meet their needs was 52,8% for males and 59,7% for females. In both groups for energy, Below the ideal range, the ratio from protein and oil is above the ideal range. Of the sample, 6,6% and 44,0% of the females, 10,3% and 50,0% of the males showed high (8-12 point) and very low (0-3 point) KIDMED index results. Efforts should be made to raise the consciousness level of the students in order to increase the sufficient and balanced nutrition and physical activity levels of the university students. It will also be useful for research to develop a simple and useful quality index that determines the quality of the diet for our country.