Üniversite Öğrencilerinin Beslenme ve Uyku Kalitesi: Akademik ve Sınav Dönemlerinin Karşılaştırılması

Kundakçı S., Çelik Z. M., Aktaç Ş.

International Medical Congress of Silesia, Katowice, Polonya, 7 - 09 Mayıs 2025, ss.231, (Özet Bildiri)

  • Yayın Türü: Bildiri / Özet Bildiri
  • Basıldığı Şehir: Katowice
  • Basıldığı Ülke: Polonya
  • Sayfa Sayıları: ss.231
  • Marmara Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet

Özet

Nutrition and Sleep Quality Among University Students: Comparison Between Academic and Exam Periods

Background: Adequate and balanced nutrition is essential for maintaining a healthy life. University students are considered a high-risk group in this regard, and various studies have shown that their nutritional habits are often inadequate. Moreover, sleep problems frequently observed in this population have been associated with the consumption of high-energy foods and irregular eating patterns.

The aim: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between university students’ dietary habits and sleep quality during the regular academic term and the exam period.

Materials and methods: This descriptive study was conducted between December 2019 and June 2020 with 96 students aged 18–24 years, enrolled at a public university. Data were collected using a 45-item questionnaire covering demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and periodic eating and sleeping habits, a 24-hour dietary recall, and the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Nutritional analyses were conducted using the BeBis software, and data were analyzed with SPSS version 23.0. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: Of the participants, 80.2% were female and 19.8% were male. A significant increase in water and snack consumption was observed during the exam period (p<0.05). Intake of protein, fiber, vitamins A, E, and B (riboflavin, B12, folate), as well as sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and zinc, increased, while carbohydrate consumption decreased (p<0.05). A statistically significant improvement in sleep quality was also observed, as indicated by lower PSQI scores (p<0.05).

Conclusions: The exam period appears to be a time when students can make positive changes in certain nutritional components. However, it is important to acknowledge the role of individual variability in nutrition and sleep quality in overall quality of life. Educational initiatives promoting healthy eating and regular sleep should be provided to students.

Keywords: Nutrition, Sleep Quality, University students