Prevalence of lifestyle associated risk factors for non-communicable diseases and its effect on quality of life among nursing students, faculty of nursing, Tanta University

Inadequate physical activity and unhealthy dietary patterns established during youth may extend into adulthood and may increase risk for chronic diseases, such as coronary heart disease and cancer. Aims: this study aims to investigate the prevalence of lifestyle-associated risk factors for non-communicable diseases among nursing students of faculty of nursing - Tanta University and evaluate its effect on their quality of life. Design: A cross-sectional analytic design was used to conduct this study. Subjects: The study subjects were nursing students in faculty of nursing, Tanta University during the academic year 2013-2014.The total number of the study subjects were 475 students, 335 females and 140 males. Tools of data collection include:1) A structured questionnaire sheet developed by the researchers based on Global School Based Student Health Survey (GSHS) and comprises three parts. Part (1): Socio-demographic characteristics of the students. Part (2): Students’ personal and family health history and Part (3): Students’ life style behaviors. 2) The World Health Organization Quality Of Life (WHOQOL) – BREF. Results: about one third of both males and females were overweight (28.6% and 30.4%) respectively. 8.6 % of males and 8.4 % of females were obese. More than half of male students (57.1%) and about one third of female students (33.7%) were classified as prehypertension (at risk for hypertension). The highest proportion of the studied subjects of both males and females were physically inactive (71.4% and 81.2%). The majority of the studied subjects showed poor or fair scores of the different quality of life domains. Conclusion: The highest frequencies of the studied subjects their life style regarding breakfast, number of meals/ day, physical exercise and leisure time was unhealthy and the majority of them exposed to passive smoking. Recommendations: It is recommended that health education messages for college students should be disseminated through formal and informal programs to bring about life style behavior changes in terms of physical activity and dietary habits.