Evolution of quality of life and health‐related behaviors among Spanish university students

Abstract

SummaryAt the beginning of their academic studies (testing phase), the quality of life and certain health‐related behaviors were evaluated. Four years later (retest phase), they were reevaluated. Between the two evaluation periods, a health promotion (HP) program was applied. The battery of instruments included measures: health‐related quality of life (HRQOL), alcoholic and nicotine dependence, eating habits, physical activity, and sexual behaviors. It also included a number of sociodemographic data. The results show that, in general, the students reported adequate levels of HRQOL, and there were no important differences between the two evaluation moments. Regarding dietary behavior, no significant changes were detected in the pattern of adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which remained at an average level of adequacy. On the contrary, significant decreases were detected in relation to alcohol and tobacco dependence as well as significant increases in physical activity levels. Lastly, with regard to sexual behavior, although certain aspects of improvement were perceived, there is a need to increase awareness of the systematic use of condoms. In conclusion, this study provides relevant information that will serve as a starting point for monitoring changes in health behaviors and for the design and implementation of HP actions directed at university students.

Evaluating Mediterranean diet adherence in university student populations: Does this dietary pattern affect students' academic performance and mental health?

“…Failde Garrido et al undertook a study to evaluate the MD adherence, as well as the quality of life of students and certain health‐related behaviors, at the beginning of academic studies and 4 years later. Between the two evaluation periods, a health promotion program was applied.…”

“…Students reported adequate levels of health‐related quality of life, and there were no significant differences between the two evaluation times. Significant decreases were detected in relation to alcohol and tobacco dependence, as well as significant increases in physical activity levels …”

Individual and Environmental Factors Associated with Tobacco Smoking, Alcohol Abuse and Illegal Drug Consumption in University Students: A Mediating Analysis

“…Overall, risky alcohol consumption behavior has an adverse effect across psychosocial wellbeing, academic performance, quality of life, and general health [9][10][11][12][13][14]41,77,78], but also contributes to increasing the risk of drug abuse in students who already smoke cigarettes. This is of utmost importance because most adolescents and young adults believe that intermittent tobacco smoking causes little or no harm, and therefore are at more risk of engaging in risky and unhealthy behaviors [79].…”

Associations between health‐related quality of life and health behaviors in Australian nursing students

“…Likewise, physical activity behaviors may influence HRQoL, with some reports indicating physical activity level is a significant predictor of HRQoL (Mak et al, 2018), especially in overweight/obese individuals (Dankel et al, 2016). This presents a significant challenge because despite guidelines for most jurisdictions recommending that adults undertake at least 150 min of moderate activity per week (Department of Health, 2019; World Health Organization, 2020), both physical activity levels and HRQoL have been shown to decline as students advance through their tertiary study program, suggesting that increased workloads (perceived or actual) may lead to an increase in sedentary behavior and stress (Faílde Garrido et al, 2019).…”