Factors Associated with Dietary Habits Among Undergraduate Nursing Students at a Public Nursing School in Jamshoro, Pakistan: A Cross-Sectional Study
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Background: Dietary habits are a key determinant of health, yet unhealthy eating behaviors are common among university students, particularly nursing students facing academic and clinical demands. Objective: This study aimed to assess dietary habits and identify factors associated with dietary habits among undergraduate nursing students. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from January to March 2026 at People’s Nursing School, Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro. A total of 168 undergraduate nursing students were selected using non-probability convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS version 23. Associations between variables were examined using the Chi-square test, with a p-value < 0.05 considered statistically significant. Results: Among 168 undergraduate nursing students, the majority had moderate dietary habits (51.2%), followed by good (25.0%) and poor (23.8%). Dietary patterns reflected a mix of healthy and unhealthy behaviors, including low daily intake of fruits and vegetables (26.2%) and frequent snacking practices. Significant associations were observed between dietary habits and gender (p = 0.002) as well as residence (p = 0.038). Eating practices, including meal frequency (p = 0.048), midnight snacking (p < 0.001), sleeping immediately after dinner (p < 0.001), and walking after dinner (p = 0.002), were also significantly associated with dietary habits. No significant associations were found with age, academic year, socioeconomic status, or physical activity. Conclusion: Dietary habits among undergraduate nursing students were predominantly moderate, with notable unhealthy dietary behaviors. Gender, residence, and eating practices were significantly associated with dietary habits, highlighting the role of modifiable behavioral and environmental factors in shaping dietary patterns.
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