European Journal of Cardiovascular Medicine

Nutrition is fundamental to sustaining health and well-being, impacting physical growth, cognitive abilities, and overall academic success. For medical students, a solid grasp of nutritional concepts is vital not only for their own health but also for their future responsibilities as healthcare professionals who will advise and educate patients on healthy dietary habits(1). Nevertheless, numerous studies have revealed significant deficiencies in nutritional knowledge and awareness among medical students worldwide (2,3).

Research by Skemiene et al. involving medical students in Lithuania revealed an imbalanced diet characterized by inadequate intake of vegetable fats, fish, fruits, and vegetables, which may result in deficiencies in essential vitamins and dietary fiber [4]. In a related vein, studies show that young adults, especially students, frequently develop poor eating habits as a consequence of academic stress, time constraints, and the convenience of fast food options [5]. The rising prevalence of lifestyle-related diseases has underscored the critical role of proper nutrition in promoting long-term health [6].

Medical students, as the forthcoming healthcare professionals, need to possess a solid foundation in nutritional knowledge to foster healthier dietary practices both in their personal lives and in their professional roles. Research indicates that incorporating nutrition education into the medical curriculum can significantly improve students' comprehension and application of nutritional concepts in patient care(7,8). Nevertheless, the degree to which nutrition is integrated into medical training varies considerably, resulting in notable gaps in both knowledge and practice (9). This study seeks to evaluate the awareness and understanding of nutritional health among undergraduate medical students at ACSR Government Medical College in Nellore District. The results will pinpoint areas within the medical curriculum that require enhancement and propose strategies to improve nutritional education. By examining students' dietary habits, levels of physical activity, and sources of nutritional information, this research will offer valuable insights into their overall awareness and inform future initiatives aimed at boosting nutritional literacy and promoting healthier lifestyle choice (10).

AIM OF THE STUDY

Aim:

To assess the level of awareness and knowledge regarding nutritional health among undergraduate medical students at ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore District.

Objectives:

Assess Nutritional Knowledge:

To evaluate the general knowledge of nutritional principles among undergraduate medical students.

Examine Dietary Practices:

To investigate the dietary habits and practices of the students.

Identify Attitudes Toward Nutrition:

To explore the attitudes of medical students towards the importance of nutrition in personal health and patient care.

Evaluate Sources of Nutritional Information:

To identify the primary sources from which students obtain their nutritional information.

Recommend Educational Improvements:

To provide recommendations for enhancing the nutritional component of the medical curriculum based on the study findings.

This cross-sectional study aims to assess nutritional health awareness among undergraduate medical students at ACSR Government Medical College in Nellore District. The study population comprises all enrolled undergraduate medical students. A total of 423 students were selected through stratified random sampling to ensure equal representation across all academic years, from the first year to the final year. The sample size for each stratum was allocated proportionally based on the number of students in each year. Data collection was carried out using a structured, self-administered questionnaire, meticulously designed and validated to assess various aspects of nutritional awareness.

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Table 1

Table 2

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Table 3

Fig 3

The findings of this study highlight critical aspects of nutritional health awareness and lifestyle habits among undergraduate medical students at ACSR Government Medical College, Nellore District. Given the pivotal role of medical students in promoting health and well-being, their awareness and practices regarding nutrition and physical activity serve as important indicators of their future roles as healthcare professionals.

Physical Activity Patterns

The research indicated that a notable percentage (45%)(Table-1) of students reported no engagement in physical activity, while 35% participated in only minimal exercise, and merely 20% followed a routine of regular physical activity. These results are consistent with earlier studies that highlight a sedentary lifestyle among medical students, attributed to demanding academic commitments and restricted free time (Bucholz et al., 2019)(11). The absence of physical activity is a recognized risk factor for various non-communicable diseases, such as obesity, cardiovascular conditions, and metabolic disorders (World Health Organization, 2020)(12). It is essential for medical institutions to implement organized physical activity initiatives to encourage a more active lifestyle among their students (Sahu et al., 2021)(13). students can negatively affect cognitive function, academic performance, and long-term health outcomes. The high intake of junk food may be linked to factors such as convenience, taste preferences, and time constraints.

Sources of Nutritional Information

Social media has become the leading source of nutritional information, accounting for 55% of the data(Table-2), followed by peers and family members at 30%, and academic sources at 15%. This trend indicates an increasing dependence on non-traditional and potentially unreliable sources for dietary advice (Nagpal & Bhatt, 2020)(14). Research has highlighted the dangers of misinformation on social media concerning dietary practices, which can result in misunderstandings about proper nutrition (Khasawneh et al., 2022)(15). Considering the significant impact of digital platforms, it is essential to incorporate evidence-based nutritional education into medical training to ensure that students have access to scientifically valid information (Kumar et al., 2021) (16).

Dietary Habits

A troubling 45% of students expressed a lack of concern regarding their food selections, while 35% acknowledged an increase in their junk food intake((Table-3). Merely 20% adhered to a well-balanced diet, indicating a possible deficiency in nutritional knowledge and personal dietary practices. These results align with previous studies indicating that medical students frequently overlook their eating habits due to stress and limited time (Almojali et al., 2017)(17). Inadequate dietary practices can lead to significant long-term health issues, such as obesity and gastrointestinal problems (Moy et al., 2021) (18).

Implications and Recommendations

The findings of this research highlight a pressing requirement for focused initiatives aimed at enhancing nutritional knowledge and lifestyle practices among medical students. Integrating comprehensive nutritional education into the medical curriculum, along with workshops and awareness initiatives, can address existing knowledge deficiencies and foster healthier decision-making (Yadav et al., 2019) (19). Furthermore, institutional policies ought to support consistent physical activity by providing accessible fitness resources and implementing stress management programs (Singh et al., 2022)(20).

This study underscores the necessity of enhancing nutritional health awareness among undergraduate medical students to encourage healthier lifestyle choices and equip them to become effective medical professionals in the realm of public health. By tackling gaps in knowledge, promoting physical activity, and encouraging balanced dietary habits, we can improve overall health outcomes. Future research could further investigate nutritional health among these students, identifying both their strengths and weaknesses in knowledge, attitudes, and practices. Such insights could guide curriculum developers and medical educators in recognizing the need for more comprehensive nutrition-related content. Ultimately, fostering nutritional literacy among medical students is crucial for cultivating skilled physicians who can advocate for and enhance the health of their patients.

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