Evaluation of the Nutrition Profile of Subjects Working in Different Workplaces in Istanbul Province

Abstract

Aim: The aim of the study is to determine the nutrition habits, the level of physical activity and beverage intake of individuals working in different workplaces in Istanbul. Subjects and methods: Voluntarilly, 314 subjects (133 men, 42.4%; 181 women,37.6%) filled a questionnaire, consisting general health, working conditions, nutrition status, daily physical activities. Study is a cross-sectional survey. Results: Out of total, 85.1%of subjects were in 20-39 years age group and 62.4% of males 61.9% of females were university graduates. The average income of males and females were 2162TL 2162±1557.9 and 1822.7± 1299.2 TL, respectively. The frequency of females doing regular physical exercise was 26.5% and 31.6% in males. Likewise, it also shows that the duration of the working hours of the men and women were over 8 hours. Females and males having lunchbreak at worksite were 87.8% and 77.4%, respectively. Mean (x±SD) energy intakes from total diet and lunch were 1949.3±509.1 and 686.5±179.8 for males and 1516.4±397.5 and 535±206.9 kcals for females, respectively. Percentage of energy from lunch were 35.2% of daily energy intake for males and 36.1% for females. An increase in the energy intake of subjects were observed when lunch was eaten together with a friend or friends, compared to eating alone (p<0.05). There were significant correlations between daily consumption of carbohydrate, energy, fat and cholesterol intakes and waist circumference of individuals (p<0.01). Conclusion: This study has showed that all individuals when the nutrition and the general lifestyle parameteres were concerned, some mistakes had occured. To decrease the negative outcomes of these wrong behaviors, it is essential to determine the workplace stiuations of individuals in Turkey and to put into practice the workplace wellness programs.