Megan C Whatnall1, Amanda J Patterson1, Stephanie Brookman2, Paula Convery2, Claire Swan2, Stephanie Pease3, Melinda J Hutchesson1. 1. School of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health and Medicine, and Priority Research Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia. 2. Student Central, Academic Division, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia. 3. Strategy, Planning and Performance, Resources Division, University of Newcastle, Callaghan, Australia.
Abstract
Objective: To describe lifestyle behaviors (fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol intake, physical activity, sitting time, smoking, drug use, sleep, sexual health) and health risk factors (body mass index, food insecurity, mental health) in a sample of Australian university students. Participants: 3,077 students from the University of Newcastle (UON), Australia (mean age 27.1 ± 9.8 years, 69.4% female) were surveyed in September-October 2017. Methods: Cross-sectional self-report survey, the UON Student Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2017. Results: Participants with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors included; 89.5% not meeting vegetable recommendations, 50.3% exceeding lifetime risk guidelines for alcohol intake, and 38.1% insufficiently physically active. Rates of health risk factors included; 39.6% overweight/obese, 37.6% high or very high risk of psychological distress, and 22.0% food insecure. Conclusions: Rates of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and related health risk factors were high within the study population, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and prioritization of effective strategies to improve university student health.
Objective: To describe lifestyle behaviors (fruit and vegetable intake, alcohol intake, physical activity, sitting time, smoking, drug use, sleep, sexual health) and health risk factors (body mass index, food insecurity, mental health) in a sample of Australian university students. Participants: 3,077 students from the University of Newcastle (UON), Australia (mean age 27.1 ± 9.8 years, 69.4% female) were surveyed in September-October 2017. Methods: Cross-sectional self-report survey, the UON Student Healthy Lifestyle Survey 2017. Results:Participants with unhealthy lifestyle behaviors included; 89.5% not meeting vegetable recommendations, 50.3% exceeding lifetime risk guidelines for alcohol intake, and 38.1% insufficiently physically active. Rates of health risk factors included; 39.6% overweight/obese, 37.6% high or very high risk of psychological distress, and 22.0% food insecure. Conclusions: Rates of unhealthy lifestyle behaviors and related health risk factors were high within the study population, highlighting the importance of ongoing monitoring and prioritization of effective strategies to improve university student health.
Entities:
Keywords:
College students; health risk factors; lifestyle behaviors; university students
Authors: Enedina Quiroga-Sánchez; Alberto González García; Natalia Arias-Ramos; Cristina Liébana-Presa; Pilar Marques-Sánchez; Lisa Gomes Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-09-13 Impact factor: 4.614
Authors: Megan C Whatnall; Amanda J Patterson; Yu Yao Siew; Frances Kay-Lambkin; Melinda J Hutchesson Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2019-10-24 Impact factor: 3.390