Üniversite Öğrencilerinde Sağlığın ve Hastalıkların Gelişimsel Orijinleri Eğitiminin Beslenme Bilgisine ve Diyet Kalitesine Etkisinin Belirlenmesi

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between healthy nutrition knowledge, diet quality, and anthropometric measurement values of university students within the concept of Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) training. 100 female individuals between the age of 19-24 studying in the Department of Nursing, Kastamonu University were included in the study. In the first phase of the study, a DOHaD awareness scale was developed for the first time in our country. In the second phase a survey on individuals’ nutritional habits, a 24-hour retrospective food consumption form, portion sizes and frequency of food consumption, physical activity record, the Healthy Eating Index-2015, and DOHaD awareness scale were applied and anthropometric measurements were measured. Individuals were then provided a DOHaD training by using a training module, and same pre-training data were recorded 6 weeks and 6 months after the training. It was concluded that means of BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, mid-upper arm circumference, waist-to-height ratio, and body fat mass decreased significantly (p<0.05). Moreover, it was found that HEI-2015 scores of individuals in the 6th week and 6th month after the training were higher in comparison to the pre-training scores (p<0.05). It was also concluded that there was a statistically significant increase in the mean physical activity levels values of individuals 6 weeks and 6 months after the training (p<0.05). Similarly, mean scores of DOHaD awareness scale in the 6th week and 6th month after the training were significantly increased in comparison to pre-training scores (p<0.05). All anthropometric measurement values had a positive correlation with DOHaD training during pre- and post-training (p<0.05). No significant relationship was found between HEI-2015 score and DOHaD training during pre- or post-training (p>0.05). It was also concluded that there was a statistically significant, weak and positive relationship between DOHaD awareness scale score and DOHaD training in the 6th week after the training (r=0.241; p<0.05) and in the 6th month after the training (r=0.263; p<0.05). This study determined that DOHaD training improved health parameters both in short and long term. Raising awareness about DOHaD concept among today’s child bearing age women is considered as a crucial strategy to protect future generations health and prevent chronic disease development.