Health-related Behaviors in Nursing Students, Nutrition and Sleep Behaviors
Conditions
Keywords
Nutrition education, Dietary behavior, Nursing students, Physical activity, Sleep quality
Brief summary
This study aims to evaluate the effects of a structured nutrition education program on nursing students' nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, physical activity levels, and sleep quality. University students, particularly those studying in health-related fields, often experience irregular eating habits, insufficient physical activity, and poor sleep quality due to academic workload and lifestyle factors. These behaviors may negatively affect both their personal health and their future professional roles. In this study, nursing students will participate in a multi-session nutrition education program designed to improve awareness of healthy eating, balanced diets, and lifestyle behaviors. Data will be collected before the education program, immediately after completion, and three months later. Outcomes will include changes in nutrition knowledge, food choices, physical activity levels, and sleep quality. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of effective educational strategies that promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among nursing students and support their well-being during university education.
Detailed description
This interventional study is designed to examine the impact of a structured nutrition education program on nursing students' health-related behaviors, including nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes and behaviors, physical activity level, and sleep quality. Nursing students represent a critical population, as they are future health professionals who will play an important role in health promotion and patient education. However, during university education, nursing students may develop unhealthy eating patterns, low physical activity levels, and poor sleep quality due to academic demands and lifestyle changes. The study will be conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University. Eligible participants include undergraduate nursing students who have not previously received formal nutrition education and who voluntarily agree to participate in the study. The intervention consists of a structured nutrition education program delivered over multiple sessions. The education content includes basic nutrition principles, food groups, balanced diet concepts, healthy food choices, nutrition-health relationships, and lifestyle factors related to physical activity and sleep. The education program is designed to increase awareness and encourage healthier behaviors rather than to provide clinical treatment. Data collection will occur at three time points: before the intervention (baseline), immediately after completion of the nutrition education program, and three months after the intervention to assess the sustainability of potential changes. Data collection tools include questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, food consumption frequency, physical activity level, and sleep quality. Physical activity will be evaluated using a standardized physical activity questionnaire, and sleep quality will be assessed using a validated sleep quality index. The primary objective of the study is to assess changes in nutrition knowledge following the education program. Secondary objectives include evaluating changes in dietary behaviors, physical activity level, and sleep quality over time. Statistical analyses will be conducted to compare outcomes across the three measurement points. This study involves minimal risk to participants. The intervention is educational in nature and does not include invasive procedures, medications, or medical devices. Ethical approval has been obtained from the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to data collection. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence supporting the integration of structured nutrition education into nursing curricula to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among students.
Interventions
BEHAVIORALNutrition Education Program
A structured nutrition education program delivered through multiple educational sessions. The intervention focuses on improving nutrition knowledge, healthy food choices, balanced diet principles, and awareness of the relationship between nutrition, physical activity, and sleep. The program is educational in nature and does not involve medications, medical devices, or invasive procedures.
Sponsors
Agri Ibrahim Cecen University
Study design
Allocation
NA
Intervention model
SINGLE_GROUP
Primary purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
NONE
Intervention model description
All participants receive the same nutrition education intervention and are evaluated before the intervention, immediately after completion, and three months after the intervention.
Eligibility
Sex/Gender
ALL
Age
18 Years to 30 Years
Healthy volunteers
Yes
Inclusion criteria
* Undergraduate nursing students enrolled at the Faculty of Health Sciences. * Aged between 18 and 30 years. * Have not previously received formal nutrition education. * Able to read and understand the study questionnaires. * Willing to participate and provide informed consent.
Exclusion criteria
* Having previously received structured or formal nutrition education. * Presence of a medical condition that affects dietary intake or sleep patterns. * Use of medications that significantly influence appetite, metabolism, or sleep. * Unwillingness or inability to complete the study questionnaires.
Design outcomes
Primary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Nutrition Knowledge Score | Baseline, immediately after completion of the nutrition education program, and 3 months after the intervention | Nutrition knowledge is measured using a structured Nutrition Knowledge Questionnaire developed for nursing students. The questionnaire produces a total score ranging from 0 to 100 points, with higher scores indicating higher nutrition knowledge. Changes in total nutrition knowledge scores across the three time points are analyzed. |
Secondary
| Measure | Time frame | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Change in Dietary Behavior Scores | Baseline; immediately after completion of the nutrition education program; 3 months after the intervention | Dietary behaviors are assessed using Food Choice and Dietary Behavior Questionnaires, including food frequency assessment. The questionnaires yield a total dietary behavior score ranging from 0 to 100, with higher scores indicating healthier dietary behaviors. Frequency-based measures are reported as times per day/week. |
| Change in Physical Activity Level | Baseline, immediately after completion of the nutrition education program, and 3 months after the intervention | Sleep quality is assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The total PSQI score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. Changes in total and subscale scores over time are analyzed. |
| Change in Sleep Quality Score | Baseline, immediately after completion of the nutrition education program, and 3 months after the intervention | Sleep quality is assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The total PSQI score ranges from 0 to 21, with higher scores indicating poorer sleep quality. Changes in total and subscale scores over time are analyzed. |
Countries
Turkey (Türkiye)
Outcome results
None listed