Influence of rashaqa instructions, 2030 on behaviors of female students of departments of home science education and kindergarten, Umm Al-Qura University, Makka, Saudi Arabia

Abstract

College students’ prosperity advancing and harming behaviors are vital and include numerous parameters as eating and healthy habits. The activities of 185 undergraduate Saudi female university students from departments of Home Science Education (n=82) and Kindergarten (n=103), faculty of Education, UMM AL- QURA University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia were reported. Data was collected using self-administered questionnaires. Students in departments exposed to information on proper nutrition and healthy behavior through their learning period at university. Researcher compared differences between students of both departments on eating of breakfast, junk foods, fruits, vegetables, sweets and soft drinks; and healthy habits as brushing teeth, sleeping hours, smoking, sports, engagement in physical activity, duration spent watching TV and interacting on social media. Data were collected from April to October 2019 and compared. Results showed that students in the Department of Home Science Education had significantly higher levels of body mass index (BMI) (P= 0.002), total body weight (P= 0.002) using unpaired student "t" test, significantly higher increase of body weight since beginning of university study (P =0.026), spent significantly more free time watching TV per week days (P =0.013), spent significant more free time on social media at days of week (P =0.002); significantly higher chances of eating supper with their parents (P =0.004) and significantly more sleeping hours (P =0.005) versus those in Kindergarten Department. Skipping breakfast and snack pattern were common among Saudi university students. This study showed insignificant difference in other health related behaviors between students of Home Science Education and Kindergarten departments as eating breakfast during the week (P =0.293), days of eating breakfast (P =0.547), eating fast food during week (P =0.195), days of eating fast food (P =0.666) and bowel problems (P =0.109) using Chi-Square test. There was insignificant difference in fast foods intake (P  =0.195), engagement in physical activities (P =0.163), intake of vegetables (P =0.370) and fruits (P =0.876) between students in both departments using Chi-Square test. Results indicated that behaviors to health-related habits are bad among female students of both Home Science Education and Kindergarten departments and this may be due to the fact that students living alone had more difficulties in adapting to healthy diets. These habits require more than having only knowledge about nutrition. A health program is required to elevate awareness and increase good behavior habits among students of Faculty of Education at UMM AL- QURA University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia as they are the future teachers.