Dietary and lifestyle behaviors among Pharmacy students in Kosova

Pharmacy Practice

  • Zana Ibraimi1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Ilir Mazreku1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Ardiana Murtezani2Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova; Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Clinic, University Clinical Center of Kosova, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Bernard Tahirbegolli3Department of Health Institutions and Services Management, Heimerer College, Prishtina, Kosova; National Sports Medicine Center, Prishtina, Kosova.
  • Driton Shabani1Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Medicine, University of Prishtina, Prishtina, Kosova.

Volume 23 Issue 1 Pages 1-11

DOI: 10.18549/PharmPract.2025.1.3119

Abstract

Background: University students do many mistakes in their nutrition such as taking inadequate unhealthy food and also having an improper lifestyle. Behavioral risk factors, like unhealthy dietary habits, tobacco and alcohol use, physical inactivity may increase the risk of many diseases, as well as this may lead to difficulty in learning. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify the dietary habits and lifestyle practices of pharmacy students, as well as to assess the relationship between nutrition quality, lifestyle and learning in school. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted from January to February 2024, on a random sample of 162 undergraduate pharmacy students of the University of Prishtina, Kosova. The research instrument was a self-administered questionnaire with questions on the sociodemographic data, anthropometric and medical, questions regarding their dietary and lifestyle behaviors, and also, their year of study and achievement in learning and studying. Results: About 85% of students were female and about 15% were male. The average age of the participants was 23.5 years. About 70% of the students had a normal BMI, while 6.2% of them were obese. The average grade of the students was 8.1. Female students ate breakfast more often during the week (p<0.05) around 5 times compared to male students. Within the week 10% of students ate fiber, 20% ate fresh fruit and 14% ate fresh vegetables, while 76% of the them consumed coffee, 14% smoked, 31% consumed alcohol and 53% of students consumed energy drinks. 61% of students practiced physical activity mostly 2 times a week, while 39% of students never practiced any physical activity during the week. In the linear regression analysis with the Enter model, it was seen that BMI (B: -0.034, %CI: -0.063 - -0.005), year of studies (B=-0.197, 95%CI: -0.270 - -0.124), number of dinner meals during the week (B=-0.043, 95%CI: -0.084- -0.003), coffee consumption (B:0.272, 95%CI:0.023 - 0.522) and energy drink consumption (B:-0.338, 95%CI :-0.548 - -0.129) as independent variables had an impact on reducing the average grade of students (p<0.05). Conclusion: Pharmacy students had poor adherence to healthy eating and lifestyle habits. Lack of healthy food consumption and lack of physical activity, in the other hand increasing the consumption of fast food and sweets, including coffee, alcohol, tobacco and energy drinks can have detrimental effects on their overall well-being and academic performance.

Keywords

  • dietary behaviors
  • lifestyle
  • university pharmacy students
  • unhealthy food
  • physical activity
Pharmacy Practice

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