Özet:

This study aims to determine the nutritional problems experienced by high school students preparing for the university exam and to develop health and nutrition recommendations based on the current literature. The descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted with 400 high school students residing in Kastamonu Center. Sociodemographic Questionnaire, Nutritional Status and Behavior Detection Questionnaire and Food Consumption Frequency Form were applied face to face to the students. The results obtained were evaluated with BEBIS 9 and NCSS 2020 Statistical Software programs. Türkiye Dietary Guidelines 2022 recommendations were taken as reference in the evaluation of food consumption. It has been observed that the preparation process for the university exam may have a negative impact on the general health status of high school students by affecting their nutrition, physical activity, sleep, psychological state, social life, fluid consumption and appetite. In addition, in terms of nutrition, imbalances in energy, macro and micro nutrient intakes, non-recommended body mass index values, skipping meals, especially at breakfast, inappropriate food preferences and nutritional attitudes, and excessive caffeine consumption were determined. In order to prevent these problems, it is recommended to provide nutrition and health education for the needs of students, to make the school and its surroundings suitable for a healthy life for students, to develop legislation to provide the necessary food diversity in canteens and cafeterias, and to regularly inspect schools' cafeterias and canteens for compliance with the legislation, distributing free meals or enriched foods where necessary, making the protection of students' health a public health policy.

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