Effect of Nutrition Education on Nursing Students' Health Behaviors and Sleep Quality

Overview

This study aims to evaluate the effects of a structured nutrition education program on nursing students' nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, physical activity levels, and sleep quality. University students, particularly those studying in health-related fields, often experience irregular eating habits, insufficient physical activity, and poor sleep quality due to academic workload and lifestyle factors. These behaviors may negatively affect both their personal health and their future professional roles. In this study, nursing students will participate in a multi-session nutrition education program designed to improve awareness of healthy eating, balanced diets, and lifestyle behaviors. Data will be collected before the education program, immediately after completion, and three months later. Outcomes will include changes in nutrition knowledge, food choices, physical activity levels, and sleep quality. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the development of effective educational strategies that promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among nursing students and support their well-being during university education.

This interventional study is designed to examine the impact of a structured nutrition education program on nursing students' health-related behaviors, including nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes and behaviors, physical activity level, and sleep quality. Nursing students represent a critical population, as they are future health professionals who will play an important role in health promotion and patient education. However, during university education, nursing students may develop unhealthy eating patterns, low physical activity levels, and poor sleep quality due to academic demands and lifestyle changes. The study will be conducted at the Faculty of Health Sciences, Department of Nursing, at Ağrı İbrahim Çeçen University. Eligible participants include undergraduate nursing students who have not previously received formal nutrition education and who voluntarily agree to participate in the study. The intervention consists of a structured nutrition education program delivered over multiple sessions. The education content includes basic nutrition principles, food groups, balanced diet concepts, healthy food choices, nutrition-health relationships, and lifestyle factors related to physical activity and sleep. The education program is designed to increase awareness and encourage healthier behaviors rather than to provide clinical treatment. Data collection will occur at three time points: before the intervention (baseline), immediately after completion of the nutrition education program, and three months after the intervention to assess the sustainability of potential changes. Data collection tools include questionnaires assessing sociodemographic characteristics, nutrition knowledge, dietary behaviors, food consumption frequency, physical activity level, and sleep quality. Physical activity will be evaluated using a standardized physical activity questionnaire, and sleep quality will be assessed using a validated sleep quality index. The primary objective of the study is to assess changes in nutrition knowledge following the education program. Secondary objectives include evaluating changes in dietary behaviors, physical activity level, and sleep quality over time. Statistical analyses will be conducted to compare outcomes across the three measurement points. This study involves minimal risk to participants. The intervention is educational in nature and does not include invasive procedures, medications, or medical devices. Ethical approval has been obtained from the institutional ethics committee, and informed consent will be obtained from all participants prior to data collection. The findings of this study are expected to provide evidence supporting the integration of structured nutrition education into nursing curricula to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors among students.