Investigation of Nursing Students’ Eating Attitudes and Affecting Factors: A Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

The aim of the study was to determine the eating attitudes of university students and the factors affecting these attitudes. The descriptive study was conducted with 711 nursing students studying at a public university nursing faculty. A Personal Information Form and Eating Attitude Test (EAT) were used as data collection tools. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analysis were used in the evaluation of the data. 59.6% of students had a normal range in Body Mass Index (BMI). The mean EAT score of the students was 16.64±9.12. As a result of the chi-square analysis, there was a statistically significant difference between the groups in the EAT scores of variables such as satisfaction with weight and body image; parental attitude; satisfaction with the department; self-worth; perceived general health status; presence of a chronic disease; professional psychological support; diet and physical exercise; and attention to diet (p<0.05). It was determined that 8.9% of the students participating in the study are at risk of developing an eating disorder. It was determined that the students' perceived parental attitudes, being satisfied with their body image and weight, self-worth, diet and physical exercise, and paying attention to their diet all affect their eating attitudes. Keywords: student, nurse, eating attitudes