Investigation of Changes in Nutrition/Eating Habits and Physical Activity Status of Nursing Students in the COVID-19 Period and Determination of Vaccination Status

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to examine the changes in the nutrition/eating habits and physical activity status of nursing students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) period and to determine the vaccination status of the students. In this descriptive cross-sectional study, 324 students studying at the Faculty of Health Sciences Nursing Department of a university and selected by random sampling method were included. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage) and chi-square test were used in the analysis of the data collected through the online survey. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, an online questionnaire was prepared in the \"Google form\" application and students were provided to fill it voluntarily. It was determined that 123 (31.8%) of the students had COVID-19. It was determined that there were 258 (79.6%) students who were voluntarily vaccinated, 56 (17.3%) vaccinated against their own will, and 10 (3.1%) students who were not vaccinated. 276 (85.2%) students with BioNTech vaccine and 38 (11.7%) students with Sinovac vaccine were identified. 246 (75.9%) students who received two doses of vaccine, 40 (12.3%) students who received one dose of vaccine and 28 (8.6%) students who received three doses of vaccine were identified. When male and female students were compared based on body mass index in terms of maintaining their body weight, weight gain was observed in males. Although there was a decrease in physical activities and an increase in insomnia problems during the pandemic period, there was no increase in the rates of smoking and alcohol use.