Association of Health Status with Dietary Habits and Lifestyle of Medical, Dental and Nursing Students of Meerut UP

Background: The life of professional students is stressful throughout the whole course of trainings. Types of food intake, lack of exercise, psychological depression due to study burden, pressure of examination, discrepancies between expectation and reality all can be anticipated in bring psychological stress.

Research Question: To find out the Association of health status with dietary habits and lifestyle of students?

Objective: The purpose of this study was to clarify the association between dietary habits and life style and perceived health status among students.

Study design: Cross sectional study

Participants: 255 students of medical dental and nursing courses of SVSU, Meerut UP

Sample Size: 255 university students Study Period: July 2011 to Dec 2011

Study variables: A Pre-designed, Pre-tested, self administered questionnaire related to life style and perceived health was used.

Statistical Analysis: Microsoft Excel

Results: In this study, consumption of non-vegetarian diet and fast food was found among students. Smoking&tobacco chewing and consumption of alcohol were seen in students. Sedentary life, over weight and high blood pressure was found in students.

Conclusion: Medical students were not much conscious to make extra effort to choose a healthier lifestyle. Healthy lifestyle among medical students are even more important as they are future doctors and the students who personally ignore healthy lifestyle are more likely to fail to establish health promotion opportunities for their patients.