Balancing Knowledge and Health: A Comparative Analysis of Students and Healthcare Workers Nutrition Related Health Behaviors, a Cross-Sectional Study

Hussein Zaitoon, Lisa Kaly, Hadel Khalil, Nataly Zion

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate nutrition-related health behaviors among nursing and medical students compared to healthcare workers (HCWs), including nurses and physicians. A cross-sectional survey was conducted between May and November 2022, using the I-MEDAS and lifestyle-related behavior questionnaires. The participants included nursing and medical students, nurses, and physicians, with a total of 384 participants: 16.9% physicians, 23.17% nurses, and 59.9% students, 93% of whom were nursing students. The average I-MEDAS score (out of 17) was 7 for physicians, 8 for nurses, and 8 for students, with no significant differences in lifestyle behavior scores between the groups (p = 0.11), although nurses tended to score lower. Nurses also had a significantly higher BMI compared to physicians and students (p < 0.001). Physicians and nurses reported lower engagement in leisure activities and household chores, fewer sleep hours, and poorer sleep quality. The findings highlight a decline in healthy lifestyle behaviors and poor adherence to the Mediterranean diet among HCWs and students, particularly nurses, emphasizing the need for interventions to promote healthier habits in these groups.

Original languageEnglish
Article numbere70000
JournalNursing and Health Sciences
Volume26
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Dec 2024
Externally publishedYes

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2024 The Author(s). Nursing & Health Sciences published by John Wiley & Sons Australia, Ltd.

Keywords

  • healthcare workers
  • healthy lifestyle
  • Mediterranean diet score
  • nurses
  • nutrition assessment
  • public health

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Nursing

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