Assessment of Nutritional Status among Undergraduate Nursing Students : Residing In Public Sectors Hostels of Peshawar, KPK

Abstract

Background and Purpose: Nutritional status is a crucial health indicator that impacts physical health, cognitive function, and academic performance. University students, especially those living in hostels, often face poor dietary habits due to financial constraints, irregular schedules, and limited access to healthy food. These issues can lead to malnutrition and diminished academic effectiveness. This study aimed to evaluate the nutritional status of undergraduate nursing students residing at public sector hostels in Peshawar and to identify the factors influencing their dietary patterns and nutritional health. Objective: The study aimed to assess the nutritional status of nursing students through anthropometric and dietary evaluations and to explore the relationship between demographic, lifestyle, and nutritional knowledge factors and their eating habits. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted from July to December 2025 with 179 undergraduate nursing students living in three public sector hostels in Peshawar—Lady Reading Hospital, Khyber Teaching Hospital, and Hayatabad Medical Complex. Data were collected using a validated questionnaire based on the Mini Nutritional Assessment (MNA) tool, which included demographic information, anthropometric measurements, and dietary behaviors. Data analysis was performed using SPSS software. Results: Of the 179 participants, 68.16% had a normal BMI, while 25.14% were underweight, 6.15% were overweight, and 0.58% were classified as obese. Most students (69.8%) consumed three meals a day, yet 48% seldom ate fruits and 33% rarely consumed dairy. Although nutrition knowledge was high (76%), a significant gap existed between knowledge and practice. Variations in meal consumption and nutritional awareness were noted across different academic years, living arrangements, and lengths of hostel stay (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The findings indicate that while many nursing students have strong nutritional knowledge, their eating habits are inconsistent, particularly regarding fruit and dairy intake. Longer stays in hostels and being in earlier academic years were linked to better nutritional attitudes and practices. These results underscore the necessity for focused nutritional interventions to promote sustained healthy eating behaviors among nursing students.