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Abstract
Ensuring good dietary habits has been associated with better academic performance and cognitive outcomes. Female nursing students are often faced with dietary challenges due to academic stress, financial constraints, and the limited availability of healthy foods, which significantly affects their nutritional status. This study investigated the influence of dietary habits on the nutritional status of female nursing students at the 37 Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Ghana. A structured questionnaire was used to collect data on dietary habits, nutritional knowledge, food choice determinants, and challenges from 397 students. Nutritional status was assessed using BMI, and chi-squared tests with multinomial logistic regression were applied (p < 0.05). Findings showed that 50% of students had a healthy weight, 28% were overweight, 15% were obese, and 7% were underweight. Although 71% demonstrated adequate nutritional knowledge, no significant association was found between knowledge and BMI, nor between BMI and source of information, accommodation status, or dietary choice determinants. Economic factors (32%), taste and preference (32%), and social influences (23.4%) were the major drivers of food choices. Regression analysis indicated that frequent intake of whole grains (OR = 4.1, p = 0.014), protein-rich meals (OR = 0.34, p = 0.021), and homemade meals (OR = 0.3, p = 0.001) significantly reduced the odds of being overweight, while daily protein intake lowered the risk of being underweight (OR = 3.14, p = 0.044). Reported barriers to healthy eating included lack of time due to academic workload and financial constraints. Overall, despite adequate nutritional knowledge, students’ dietary habits were more strongly influenced by financial limitations, limited access to healthy foods, and academic stress. The findings highlight the need for interventions such as affordable access to healthy foods, nutrition counseling, and supportive campus food policies to promote better dietary habits, improve nutritional well-being, and ultimately enhance academic performance among female nursing students.
KEYWORDS: Dietary habits, Nutritional status, female, nursing students.