Evaluate the Eating Habits of Teachers Working in Various Primary Schools in Ankara

Aims: The aim of this study is to evaluate the eating habits of teachers working in various primary schools in Ankara.

Study Design: This was a cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Ankara, Turkey between February and May, 2012 in primary schools.

Methodology: The study was conducted with 200 teachers. Participants' frequencies of food consumption, eating habits, anthropometric measurements were collected face to face by questionnaire method.

Results: 76.0% of the participants were female and 24.0% were male. While more than half (56.0%) of the teachers consume three meals, the most skipped meals are morning (42.8%) and lunch (55.2%) meals. The most consumed food (38.4%) is fruit in both genders. Nutrient intake of teachers decreases when 46.5% of them are sad and when 37.5% of them are nervous, but for 65.5% of them this intake do not change in excitement (p <0.05). 23.5% of the teachers consume milk daily, 52.5% eat eggs 1-2 times a week, 39.0% eat green leafy vegetables, 52.5% eat fruits and 77.0% eat white bread on a daily basis. Apart from that the most consumed (91.0%) every day drink is tea.

Conclusion: In recent years, wrong nutrition habits and the incidence of chronic diseases related with these habits have increased in the society. Considering the teachers' correct nutritional habits on students, it is thought that it is important to have nutrition lessons in undergraduate curriculum and nutrition seminars in in-service training programs in teacher-educated schools.