Abstract:

Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic is an important public health problem affecting life in our country as well as all over the world. Due to the precautions taken to control the spread of the outbreak, nutritional habits, physical activity levels, consumer behaviors, education and training methods and daily life are changing rapidly. Emergency healthcare workers are the healthcare workers who fight against coronavirus at the forefront and are at high risk of infection. This study was planned to determine the dietary habits and physical activities of first and emergency aid students during the outbreak and the factors affecting them. 123 students studying at Gazi University were included in this cross-sectional study. In the data collection questionnaire, general information form about sociodemographic characteristics, Mediterranean Diet Quality Index (KIDMED) to measure dietary habits and International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form were used to determine physical activity levels. 80.5% of the students were women and 19.5% were men. The average of KIDMED score was 4.7 ± 2.34. According to KIDMED score, 56.1% of students had medium diet quality, 30.9% low and 13.0% optimal diet quality. Students who did not smoke had a significantly higher KIDMED score than smokers (p=0.005). Students who had breakfast and did not skip their main meals had a significantly higher KIDMED score than those who did not (respectively p=0.002, p=0.032). The KIDMED score of students who lived in the city center was significantly lower than those in the village/town (p=0.022). According to IPAQ score, 56.9% of students were not active. 32.5% had low physical activity level and 10.6% had physical activity level that could provide health benefit. The average of students’ total IPAQ score was 1337.8 ± 2612.33. It has been determined that healthy eating habits of first and emergency aid students should be developed and their physical activity levels are not sufficient. In order to protect the physical and mental health of students and strengthen their immunity during COVID-19 outbreak, suggestions for lifestyle that can be applied at home should be determined.

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