Nutrition Knowledge, Food Habit Problems and Dietary Attitudes of Nursing Students

Purpose: This study investigates the relationship among nutrition knowledge, food habit problems and dietary attitudes in nursing students.Methods: A total of 856 nursing students participated in the study.Data was analyzed by frequencies, t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple stepwise regressions via SPSS WIN 21.0.Results: The mean scores for nutrition knowledge and dietary attitudes were above average and the score related to food habit problems was high.Dietary attitudes correlated positively with nutrition knowledge, but dietary attitudes correlated negatively with food habit problems.Significant predictors of dietary attitudes included: food habit problems, interest in nutrition and health, exercise, and drinking.The regression model explained 16.4% of perceived dietary attitudes.Conclusion: To improve dietary attitudes among nursing students, nursing educators should develop nutritional educational intervention programs in order to promote nutrition knowledge and identify food habit problems.