THE RELATIONSHIP OF HOUSING STATUS, NUTRITIONAL HABITS AND FOOD CONSUMPTION WITH CONSTIPATION IN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS

Abstract

Objective: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between university students' housing status (at home and in dormitory), eating habits and food consumption amounts with constipation. Method: The study was conducted cross-sectionally with students (n=382) studying at Akdeniz University. Data including sociodemographic information and dietary habits of the participants were collected by face-to-face interview method using a questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements including height, body weight and waist circumference were taken and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. 24h dietary recall of the participants was taken by the researchers, and the Bristol defecation scale and constipation severity scale were used to evaluate the constipation status. Results: The mean age of the participants was 21.5±1.48 years. The mean BMI was 21.9±3.38 kg/m2, and it was determined that about three quarters of them (75.0% female and 73.3% male) had normal BMI. In both groups, white bread, 1 serving of fruit or vegetables per day, and 1-2 servings of legumes and vegetable dishes per week were consumed predominantly. In general, approximately two-thirds of both home and dormitory students were found to have ideal colonic transit according to the Bristol Stool Scale and had a low constipation severity scale score. When individuals were evaluated according to the constipation pain scale, a significant difference was found between students living at home and dormitory (p<0.001). Although a significant difference was observed for saturated fatty acids and polyunsaturated fatty acids (p<0.05), no significant differences were found in the daily intake of other constipation-realated nutrients including dietary fiber, soluble and insoluble fiber. Conclusion: Although both home and dormitory students had low fiber intake, the number of individuals with slow colonic transit was low. More studies are needed to evaluate the relationship between nutrition, lifestyle and constipation by including other factors affecting constipation.