Original Article

Evaluation of Nutritional Status of First-Year Medical Students

10.5505/1304.8503.2012.85570

  • Beyza Eliuz
  • Hacer Nalbant
  • Kübra Esin
  • Muazzez Garipağaoğlu
  • Penbe Çağatay
  • Zeynep Solakoğlu

İstanbul Med J 2012;13(1):1-8

OBJECTIVE:

The objective of this study was to determine nutrient intake and to compare nutrition recommendations among first-year medical students at Istanbul Faculty of Medicine in Turkey.

METHODS:

During the years of 2009-2010 and 2010-2011, a total of 878 first-year medical students (532 male, 346 female) aged 18.4±0.9 years were investigated. A self-filled questionnaire was used to collect demographic information. The student’s body weights and heights were measured and Body Mass Indices (BMI) were calculated. 24-h dietary recalls were collected and analyzed by Bebis software program and also compared Turkish nutritional recommendations. Statistical analyses were performed by using SPSS package.

RESULTS:

Half of the female students (49.1%) and most of the males (61.7%) had normal BMI. The other half of females (44.8%) were underweight. Distribution of underweight (19.3%) and overweight (19.0%) were similar among males. Mean dietary fiber, vitamin B1, folate, calcium and magnesium intakes of whole students, and iron intakes of female students were inadequate compared with the recommendations. Only phosphorus intake was high among all students. Nutrient intakes of the male students were significantly higher than the female students except energy and vitamin C. There was no difference between the weekday and weekend nutrient intakes of the students. The students who live in dormitory or sharing houses with friends had better nutrient intakes than students who live with own families. Only half of the students had regular breakfast habit.

CONCLUSION:

Energy and nutrient intakes of students were evaluated according to Turkish nutritional recommendations and observed that first year medical students’ dietary assesment were inadequate and unbalanced. To improve dietary habits of students their introductory nutrition information must be supported by further classes and applied nutrition sessions.

Keywords: Medical students, body mass index, energy, nutrients