Abstract:

Objective: As a major social problem unhealthy diet, especially among university students in the adolescent period, may lead to a variety of complications. In this study, the relationship between pulmonary functions and nutritional habits of the Suleyman Demirel University students was investigated. Material and Methods: Study was conducted between April-June 2010. Participants were 94 university students who were having formal education in the Suleyman Demirel University central campus and selected by simple random sampling method. To determine feeding habits, we used a survey that was created by researchers. The height and weight measurements were made with a standard scale and mezura. Lung functions were assessed by spirometry. For statistical analysis SPSS 18.0 pocket program was used, and data were analysed by ANOVA tests. For all analysis a p value of <0.05 was taken as significant. Results: Students' mean age was 19.9±0.9 years and 74 of all students (78.7%) were undergraduate students. The remaining 20 students (21.3%) were graduate students. Of all the students, 27 which comprised the largest group of the students (28.7%) were living in state dormitory. Four-person nuclear family structure was the highest group (39.4%) for family structure. Body mass index (BMI) was examined for the study group; according to BMI, body weight was generally within normal limits, but 17.39% of girls' was found to be underweight. There was a statistically significant difference between forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1st second (FEV1), FEV1/FVC at 1st second, peak expiratuar flow rate (PEF), maximal forced expiratory flow between 25% and 75% of forced vital capacity (FEF25-75) and the place that the students most often eat meals (p<0.05). A statistically significant difference was found between PEF and BMI, and between FEF25-75 and the frequency of fresh fruit and vegetables intake (p<0.05). Conclusions: The relationship between students respiratory parameters and where they eat meals and also the relationship of VKI with fresh fruit/vegetable intake emphasize the importance of adequate and balanced nutrition. In this way, development of chronic disease such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease may be slowed or halted. Key words: Respiratory function tests, nutrition, university students, dormitory

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