Assessment of type 2 diabetes risk and health-promoting lifestyles among nursing students: A cross-sectional study

Aim: As future health educators, nursing students’ personal health behaviors are critically linked to their professional competency. This study assessed type 2 diabetes risk and health-promoting lifestyles among nursing students to inform theory-based interventions in nursing education.Materials and Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study, conducted between November 2022 and January 2023, involved 231 nursing students. Institutional permission and ethical approval were obtained. Data were collected using a “Personal Information Form,” the “Finnish Diabetes Risk Score” (FINDRISC) scale, and the “Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II” (HPLP-II). Height and weight measurements were taken, and data were analyzed using SPSS 23.0 with t-tests, one-way ANOVA, Tukey’s b test, and Pearson correlation tests.Results: Of the participants, 86.6% were classified as having a low risk of diabetes. The mean HPLP-II score was 130.21±21.76, and the mean FINDRISC score was 3.74 (SD±2.69). Higher FINDRISC scores were observed in students under 21, those living with friends, those with a family history of diabetes, and those with a BMI over 25 kg/m² or waist circumference over 82 cm. HPLP-II scores were significantly higher among students living with family and those with sleep disturbances. A weak negative correlation existed between FINDRISC and HPLP-II scores.Conclusions: The study highlights a disconnect between nursing students’ knowledge and their personal health practices. Practical interventions such as increasing physical activity, stress management workshops, and targeted screening for students with a family history of diabetes are recommended. Aligning nursing education to strengthen these areas is essential to prepare a workforce that can authentically model wellness.