Lifestyle Factors Influencing Dietary Patterns of University Professors

Abstract

The objectives of this study are to identify eating patterns of university professors and to assess the relationships among sociodemographic factors in relation to lifestyle and physical activity. It is a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational, and observational study with a representative sample of 127 educators, which covers almost the total population of university professors belonging to one of the campuses of the University of Granada (Spain). Two eating patterns were identified a posteriori through explanatory factor analysis: a Western pattern characterised by the consumption of dairy products, eggs, meat, sausages, refined oils, and butter, sugar, processed baked goods, and sugar-containing beverages and alcoholic drinks, and a Mediterranean pattern based on olive oil, fish, fruits, nuts, vegetables, pulses, cereals, and honey, which explain the 20.102 and 17.411 of variance, respectively. Significant differences are observed between the two genders with respect to anthropometric characteristics (weight and size, p <.001 in both cases) and to nutritional status (p = 0.011). Origin (p = 0.022) and level of physical activity (p = 0.010) were significantly related to adherence to a Western diet pattern. In the case of the Mediterranean diet pattern, significant differences are observed according to the professors’ type of bachelor’s degree (p = 0.37). This study provides evidence on factors having an impact on adherence to eating patterns of professors of the University of Granada, and it suggests that programmes addressed to such groups should be developed to promote health.

A glimpse of academic staff health behavior on diet type and physical activity at Austrian universities: first findings from the “Sustainably Healthy – From Science 2 Highschool & University” study

“…Consistent with the present findings, results from two comparable Austrian surveys on schoolteachers showed that the prevalence of overweight/obesity was remarkably higher in males (40.6 and 46.5%) than in females (14.7 and 29.2%) (55, 65). According to a Spanish study, a greater proportion of male and female university professors were found to be overweight or obese (64.5% of males and 36.9% of females) (43). While the prevalence of overweight/obesity is higher among the general population of Austrian adults compared to academics, the sex difference between males and females has been reported to be much smaller (66).…”

“…University professors and lecturers are prestigious role models and multipliers with great responsibility and power who are especially impactful in developing society's sociocultural structure and fostering healthier behaviors within academic and professional environments (41,42). University academics are at risk and face challenges in maintaining optimal health behavior, mostly due to time constraints and demanding schedules (43). In particular, tertiary faculty members have fundamentally stressful and demanding professions as they experience various stressors, including limited leisure time, inadequate rest, insufficient sleep (43,44), which may weaken other health behaviors such as PA and dietary patterns (43,45).…”

“…University academics are at risk and face challenges in maintaining optimal health behavior, mostly due to time constraints and demanding schedules (43). In particular, tertiary faculty members have fundamentally stressful and demanding professions as they experience various stressors, including limited leisure time, inadequate rest, insufficient sleep (43,44), which may weaken other health behaviors such as PA and dietary patterns (43,45). This situation can put them at risk of developing a range of physical, physiological, and psychological health conditions, thus weakening their health-related quality of life (46)(47)(48).…”

Investigating the mediating role of food involvement in the relationship between eating restrictions, nutritional knowledge, and dietary patterns in adults

“…Identifying and describing the DP and its related factors can lead to effective measures to prevent the consequences of unhealthy DPs [ 6 ]. Eating restriction (ER) is one of the factors that influence DP [ 7 ].…”

Native vs. Unique Fruit Popularity: Exploring the Sustainable Fruit Consumption in Poland—Research Report

“…In addition, there is a decreasing tendency toward fruit consumption, both in terms of raw fruits and juices [3,4]. This tendency has also been observed among the youngest consumers (children) [5,6], youth and young adults (students) [7][8][9], and adults (professionally active people) [10,11]. With regard to children, it has been found that the younger they are, the lower their frequency of consuming processed fruit [6].…”