Health Behaviors of Austrian Secondary Level Pupils at a Glance: First Results of the From Science 2 School Study Focusing on Sports Linked to Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets

Abstract

Attaining healthy behaviors is essential at any life stage, particularly childhood, due to the strong link between children’s lifestyle and the subsequent adult state of health. This multidisciplinary study aimed to assess lifestyle behaviors of Austrian pupils of secondary schools I and II, with a specific focus on PA habits and diet types based on a large sample. In total, 8845 children/adolescents participated in the short standardized online survey on relevant health-related aspects nationwide. Valid and complete data was provided by 8799 pupils, including 1.14% of the eligible 771,525; 63% girls, 76% having a normal body weight, 70% attending secondary schools II, and more pupils/students living in rural vs. urban areas (3:1 ratio). Across the total sample, 11.8% were considered overweight/obese with a higher prevalence of overweight/obesity in boys than girls (15.5% vs. 9.6%) and urban vs. rural participants (13.9% vs. 10.8%; p < 0.05). The majority of participants (84.5%) reported a mixed diet, while 7.2% and 8.5% reported a vegan and vegetarian diet, respectively. Vegans reported a lesser alcohol intake (p < 0.05) compared to non-vegan pupils (no difference in dietary subgroups for smoking). Although overall PA and dietary behaviors suggest an appropriate health status among Austrian youth, attention should be focused on policies to increase healthy lifestyle habits at best through a dual approach to health permanently combining regular PA, sports, and exercise with a healthy diet, which would contribute to matching the current recommendations for improving individual and public health.

The Impact of Physical Activity at School on Children’s Body Mass during 2 Years of Observation

“…Bi et al (2019) demonstrated that overweight or obesity was positively related to low physical activity during adolescence [ 41 ]. In the study of Wirnitzer et al (2021), children involved in sports activities showed a more favorable body mass compared to not involved ones [ 42 ]. Hilpert et al (2017) showed that a low level of physical activity was the key factor affecting overweight and obesity in children [ 43 ].…”

Health Behaviors of Austrian Secondary School Teachers and Principals at a Glance: First Results of the From Science 2 School Study Focusing on Sports Linked to Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets

“…To date, only a limited number of reports focusing on the health of teachers [ 39 , 40 , 41 , 42 ] and school managers [ 43 , 44 ] exist, mostly with a major focus on mental health and stress management considering the school environment. There is a gap in the literature on the association between exercise behaviors and diet types (especially vegetarian, vegan) in the school context, except for one current report from our laboratory on secondary pupils [ 45 ]. Therefore, the present study aimed to examine the lifestyle behaviors of a large group of Austrian teachers and school principals at secondary levels I and II with a first glance not only to provide descriptive epidemiological data but a specific focus on “PA/sport participation” and “diet type” subgroups to identify potential associations.…”

Study protocol of “From Science 2 School”—prevalence of sports and physical exercise linked to omnivorous, vegetarian and vegan, diets among Austrian secondary schools

“…In addition, school settings are well controlled regarding age groups (school level), state educational mandates/national curricula, and standardized teacher education at the tertiary level (University/College) ( 98 , 136 ). Concerning any future sustainable health solution, the central prerequisite is a health-promoting school environment ( 6 , 19 , 47 , 137 – 141 ). Therefore, health initiatives that exclude school settings are doomed to fail ( 48 , 49 , 142 ).…”

“…Although low BMI does not help determine whether an individual might be predisposed to chronic disease, a high BMI almost always does indicate such a predisposition ( 159 ). The characteristics of plant foods (low energy, high density of fiber, and nutrients) ( 16 , 76 , 83 , 150 ), however, do not seem to be the only reason for a healthier BMI in vegan/vegetarian populations since data indicate that those who follow plant-based diets may have other healthy lifestyle habits in addition, such as higher engagement in sports and exercise ( 76 , 141 , 160 ). Therefore, based on scientific evidence available, vegan adults may have the lowest risk for becoming overweight/obese as a risk factor of NCDs since they were most often reported within healthy BMI categories and thus at lower risk for developing NCDs ( 76 ).…”