Health Promotion Beverage Consumption Behavior of Boromarajjonani College of Nursing Students, Nakhon Ratchasima

Abstract

This descriptive study aimed to assess the beverage consumption of nursing
students and how this might influence their health. Questionnaires from 215 firstto fourth-year nursing students selected by random sampling were collected. In
addition in-depth interviews were conducted in order to obtain in-depth
information from college’s executive committees. Also some students and shop
owners were questioned using in depth interviews. Data were analyzed by
common descriptive statistics such as calculating proportions, averages, standard
deviation and minimum as well as maximum values. Most students (91.6%) were
female with an average age of 20.1 years. The body mass index (BMI) was normal for
60.9% of participants and below standard for 31.2% of students. The average amount
of money spent on health promotion beverages was less than 25 baht per day. The
knowledge about healthy beverages was poor with 74.0% of those questioned. The
attitude towards healthy beverages was fair with 90.7% of participants. Information
about beverages was obtained from advertisements at TV but selection of beverages
also did depend on general knowledge about drinks available in the market. The topthree healthy beverages were milk, fruit juice / vegetable juice products and milk
based products (eg. yoghurt smoothie) with an average consumption of 1-2 times per
week. In average the daily energy and nutrients consumed was 1,807.7 kilocalorie
which was broken down into 54.6% of carbohydrates: 29.1% of fat: and 16.3% of
protein of the total calorie intake. Considering from the overall beverages consumption,
the average carbohydrate intake accounted for 13.9%. The highest percentage of
minerals was calcium, with 25.5%t. Other vitamins of interest were vitamin B1 and B2
providing 50.8% and 34.0% of the total vitamin intake respectively. In conclusion, it is
necessary to improve knowledge, attitudes, and practices towards a healthy
consumption of beverages such as low - fat milk, herbal drinks, and fresh fruit /
vegetable juice.