Investigation of Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors of Last Grade Students at Trakya University

Duygu Ortanca, Serdar Öztora, Hamdi Nezih Dağdeviren

Keywords: Healthy lifestyle behaviors, smoking, alcohol

Aim:

In our study, it was aimed to determine the healthy lifestyle behaviors of last grade students at Trakya University and to determine the factors that affect these behaviors.

Method:

This descriptive and cross-sectional study included 1250 last grade students at Trakya University in the 2019-2020 academic year. The data were collected with the help of a questionnaire prepared by us.

Results:

Of the participants, 775 (%62) were female and 475 (%38) male. It was determined that female participants were underweight and normal weight according to BMI, and male participants were overweight and obese (p<0.001). The proportion of women who do not smoke was found to be significantly higher compared to men (p <0.001). The number of women who don’t drink alcohol and use little alcohol (1-2 times a year + 2-3 times a month) is higher than men; the number of men who consumed alcohol once a week, 2-3 times a week and every day was found to be significantly higher than that of women (p <0.001). The mean Health Lifestyle Behaviors Scale total score was (128.95 ± 20.54). When the means of Health Lifestyle Behaviors Scale subscales were examined, it was seen that the highest score was in interpersonal relations and the lowest score was in the physical activity subscale. The health responsibility (p = 0.002) and stress management (p = 0.017) subscale scores of non-smokers were found to be high. Physical activity (p = 0.046) of those who used alcohol every day, and spiritual development subscale scores of those who never used (p = 0.008) were found to be high. The average Health Lifestyle Behaviors Scale score was the lowest among the students of the Faculty of Medicine and the highest among the students of the Faculty of Sports Sciences (p<0,001).

Conclusions:

As a result of our study, it was determined that the participants performed healthy lifestyle behaviors at a moderate level (128.95 ± 20.54). University years are the years when important changes are experienced for the individual. The lifestyle of the individuals who make up the society of the future will affect both themselves and the resources of the country. During this period, young people should be supported to gain healthy lifestyle behaviors.

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