Student nurses leading unhealthy lifestyles

NEARLY half the women studying nursing in Cork are overweight and a quarter smoke, a new survey shows.

Less than 2% take folic acid, despite Government efforts to encourage women to take the vitamin, which can prevent neural tube defects during pregnancy.

The survey findings were described as “staggering” by Anna O’Leary of University College Cork’s (UCC) school of nursing and midwifery, who conducted the research into the eating and drinking habits of young college women.

Ms O’Leary surveyed 200 women in their second or third year of nursing study ranging in age from 19 to 52 - 94% were aged 18 to 34.

The vast majority were unmarried and living in rented accommodation with other students. The results show that they display poor health behaviour across a range of areas.

Ms O’Leary’s study found:

* 47% were overweight.

* 11% were classified as being obese.

* 24% smoked.

* 94% drank.

The report found that their main meals were consumed at home and takeaway or fried food was consumed less than once a week. But overall, the women were not eating the recommended servings from each shelf of the food pyramid.

Between a third and two-thirds of those surveyed were eating below the recommended servings in each of the five food groups. Most are not eating enough cereals, breads, potatoes, milk, cheese and dairy products.

Roughly three-quarters ate savoury snacks, chocolate bars and crisps daily.

Nine of every 10 trainee nurses drank the recommended 14 units of alcohol every week but one in five exceeded that level.

Just over 62% drank wine every day, 73% drank spirits daily, 68% drank fizzy drinks and 86% drank water every day.

Just 1.3% are taking folic acid and just over 36% are taking vitamins, minerals or food supplements.

“The findings were staggering,” Ms O’Leary said.

“Half the group was overweight and obese and there was a high uptake of alcohol and tobacco usage.”

The survey also showed that while the trainee nurses were not on any kind of special diet, 10.4% reported a weight reducing diet.

“Overall the data suggests that college women exhibit inadequate health behaviour in relation to diet, alcohol and tobacco but such behaviour may not be that unusual,” the report said.

However, the authors of an American study on health practices in New York said that although nursing students are expected to act as role models for patients, their own health practices leave a lot to be desired.