Relationships’ Among Dietary Habits, Economic Status and Type 2 Diabetes Risk on Turkish Female University Students Living with Their Families or in the Dormitory

Abstract

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to investigate relationships between dietary habits, income levels and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk in Turkish female university students who are living with their family or in the dormitory. Methods This work was a cross-sectional study conducted during December 2017 – February 2018 in Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University. A survey was applied on 127 female students of which 60 were living with their family and 40 in dormitory. Income level was determined based on TURKSTAT 2015 percentiles. T2DM risk was determined using the Finnish Diabetes Association Type 2 Diabetes Risk Assessment Form. Food frequency questionnaire and 24-hour dietary recall results were analysed by specially developed for Turkey diet analysis software Beslenme Bilgi Sistemi (BeBiS). Data were statistically analysed with SPSS for Windows 20.0. Results Our results show university students do not have adequate and balanced nutrition in general. On the other hand, students who are living with their family have more better nutritional results than students who are live in dormitory (P < 0.05). According to income level, in most cases students in high income have more better results about diet quality than students in low income (P < 0.05). Students in high income have less type 2 diabetes risk comparing to students in low income (P < 0.05). There is not a significant relationship between income level and type 2 diabetes risk in students who are living with their family. On the other hand, students who are living in dormitory have significant relationship between income level and type 2 diabetes risk (P < 0.05). Conclusions There is a significant relationship between income level, dietary habits and type 2 diabetes risk in most cases. University students should take education about healthy nutrition. Our work demonstrates that students who are living in dormitory need more training programs. Students who are in more risk about type 2 diabetes should take education about protection from type 2 diabetes. Funding Sources Endowment Fund for Research in Health Sciences, of Istanbul Yeni Yuzyil University project code: SBF-120,705,051-2017; grant.