Which Nutritional and Demographic Characteristics Effect Hopelessness in Young Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study of University Students from Turkey

Abstract

Objectives: Aim of the study to investigate the effects of nutritional status and demographic characteristic on hopelessness of university students. Study Design: A cross-sectional study with random sampling of students who age between 17-25 years, at XXXXXXXX University. A questionnaire form investigating demographic characteristics and nutritional habits was applied to students. Food frequency questionnaire form and also Beck Hopelessness Scale was used. Total scores range from 0–20 point and it categorized according to symptom severity as follows: 0–3: normal; 4–8: mild; 9–14: moderate; 15–20: severe hopelessness. Statistical analysis of the data was evaluated with SPSS 21.0 statistical package program. p <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: The mean hopelessness score of student was 4.63±3.75 and mean of most of their hopelessness scores (50.1%) was normal. Sleeping 5-6 hours and ≥10 hours, using smoke and alcohol, using alcohol at least one time or more in a week was associated with higher hopelessness score and skipping meal was associated with low hopelessness score (p<0.05). Unhealty foods such as processed meat product, fried vegetable, fried potato, soup (ready), peanut butter, candies, hamburger, ketchup, margarine, mayonnaise, cips was associated with higher hopelessness score when consumed frequently (daily or 5-6 times in a week) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Mean hopelessness score of university students which we examined was determined as normal. Sleeping time, using smoke and alcohol, consuming usually unhealty foods were relationship with hopelessnes scale.