IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v21y2024i5p626-d1395139.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Health-Related Lifestyles among University Students: Focusing on Eating Habits and Physical Activity

Author

Listed:
  • Elena Lonati

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Emanuela Cazzaniga

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
    These authors contributed equally to this work.)

  • Roberta Adorni

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Francesco Zanatta

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Michael Belingheri

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy)

  • Matteo Colleoni

    (Department of Sociology and Social Research, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy
    BASE Bicocca Sustainability Committee, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Michele Augusto Riva

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
    BASE Bicocca Sustainability Committee, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Patrizia Steca

    (Department of Psychology, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy
    BASE Bicocca Sustainability Committee, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy)

  • Paola Palestini

    (School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Via Cadore, 48, 20900 Monza, Italy
    BASE Bicocca Sustainability Committee, University of Milano-Bicocca, Piazza dell’Ateneo Nuovo, 20126 Milan, Italy)

Abstract

The transition to higher education at University is a critical moment for young adults to acquire unhealthy habits regarding physical activity (PA) and adherence to a healthy diet. Negative behaviors might be maintained in the years to come with a major risk of suffering from a Non-Communicable Disease. This study aims to determine the relationship between diet and PA in the student community of University of Milano-Bicocca. Students between 18 and 30 years old completed an online survey (6949 students). Two analyses of covariance (ANCOVA), chi-square tests of independence, and a binomial logistic regression were performed to examine the relationship between adequacy of food consumption and PA, in association also with sociodemographic characteristics. Data show a strong correlation between behaviors analyzed, with a proportional positive association between PA and healthy diet. Nevertheless, a third of the sample students incur in incorrect habits for both diet and PA. Further, students performing intensive PA have the healthiest food consumption in general but the worst red meat and pork intake. Accordingly, men practice more PA but have a less adequate diet, exactly contrary to women. In conclusion, policies promoting consciousness of well-being would transform Universities into healthy hubs for virtuous habits.

Suggested Citation

  • Elena Lonati & Emanuela Cazzaniga & Roberta Adorni & Francesco Zanatta & Michael Belingheri & Matteo Colleoni & Michele Augusto Riva & Patrizia Steca & Paola Palestini, 2024. "Health-Related Lifestyles among University Students: Focusing on Eating Habits and Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(5), pages 1-12, May.
  • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:626-:d:1395139
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/5/626/pdf
    Download Restriction: no

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/21/5/626/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Cristina Romero-Blanco & Julián Rodríguez-Almagro & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María Laura Parra-Fernández & María del Carmen Prado-Laguna & Antonio Hernández-Martínez, 2020. "Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-13, September.
    2. Cristina Romero-Blanco & Antonio Hernández-Martínez & María Laura Parra-Fernández & María Dolores Onieva-Zafra & María del Carmen Prado-Laguna & Julián Rodríguez-Almagro, 2022. "Food Preferences in Undergraduate Nursing Students and Its Relationship with Food Addiction and Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(7), pages 1-11, March.
    3. Roberta Adorni & Elena Lonati & Francesco Zanatta & Michael Belingheri & Massimiliano Rossetti & Matteo Colleoni & Michele Augusto Riva & Paola Palestini & Patrizia Steca, 2022. "Lifestyle Profiles and Their Sociodemographic Correlate in an Academic Community Sample," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(1), pages 1-14, December.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Irfan Ullah & Md. Saiful Islam & Sajjad Ali & Hashaam Jamil & Muhammad Junaid Tahir & Aatik Arsh & Jaffer Shah & Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam, 2021. "Insufficient Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(19), pages 1-10, September.
    2. Emilijus Žilinskas & Giedrė Žulpaitė & Kristijonas Puteikis & Rima Viliūnienė, 2021. "Mental Health among Higher Education Students during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Cross-Sectional Survey from Lithuania," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(23), pages 1-14, December.
    3. Éva Bácsné Bába & Anetta Müller & Christa Pfau & Renátó Balogh & Éva Bartha & György Szabados & Zoltán Bács & Kinga Ráthonyi-Ódor & Gergely Ráthonyi, 2023. "Sedentary Behavior Patterns of the Hungarian Adult Population," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-15, February.
    4. Marine Kirsch & Damien Vitiello, 2022. "The COVID-19 Pandemic Lowers Active Behavior of Patients with Cardiovascular Diseases, Healthy Peoples and Athletes," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(3), pages 1-14, January.
    5. David Jungwirth & Daniela Haluza, 2023. "Sports and the Pandemic: The Impact of COVID-19 on Active Living and Life Satisfaction of Climbers," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(3), pages 1-12, January.
    6. Tadashi Ito & Hideshi Sugiura & Yuji Ito & Koji Noritake & Nobuhiko Ochi, 2021. "Effect of the COVID-19 Emergency on Physical Function among School-Aged Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(18), pages 1-9, September.
    7. Yifeng Liu & Yuan Lai, 2024. "Analyzing jogging activity patterns and adaptation to public health regulation," Environment and Planning B, , vol. 51(3), pages 670-688, March.
    8. Agnieszka Chwałczyńska & Waldemar Andrzejewski, 2021. "Changes in Body Mass and Composition of the Body as Well as Physical Activity and Time Spent in Front of the Monitor by Students of the Wroclaw University of Health and Sport Sciences during the Perio," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-12, July.
    9. van de Weijer, Margot P. & de Vries, Lianne P. & Pelt, Dirk H.M. & Ligthart, Lannie & Willemsen, Gonneke & Boomsma, Dorret I. & de Geus, Eco & Bartels, Meike, 2022. "Self-rated health when population health is challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic; a longitudinal study," Social Science & Medicine, Elsevier, vol. 306(C).
    10. Aurélie Goncalves & Sarah Le Vigouroux & Elodie Charbonnier, 2021. "University Students’ Lifestyle Behaviors during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Four-Wave Longitudinal Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(17), pages 1-9, August.
    11. Reham M. Algheshairy & Raghad M. Alhomaid & Mona S. Almujaydil & Hend F. Alharbi & Woroud A. Alsanei, 2022. "Influence of Using Food Delivery Applications on Adult Saudi Female Dietary Habits and Preferences during COVID-19 Lockdown Restrictions: Attitude Survey," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(19), pages 1-14, October.
    12. Yi-Ching Lee & Lindsey A. Malcein & Sojung Claire Kim, 2021. "Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Usage during COVID-19: Motivating Factors and Implications," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-14, March.
    13. Maria Ferrara & Elisa Langiano & Lavinia Falese & Pierluigi Diotaiuti & Cristina Cortis & Elisabetta De Vito, 2022. "Changes in Physical Activity Levels and Eating Behaviours during the COVID-19 Pandemic: Sociodemographic Analysis in University Students," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(9), pages 1-17, May.
    14. Adrián De la Rosa & Armando Monterrosa Quintero & María Alejandra Camacho-Villa & Coralie Arc-Chagnaud & André Gustavo Pereira de Andrade & Sergio Reyes-Correa & Ronald Quintero-Bernal & Juan Pedro Fu, 2022. "Physical Activity Levels and Psychological Well-Being during COVID-19 Lockdown among University Students and Employees," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(18), pages 1-14, September.
    15. Aureliusz Kosendiak & Magdalena Król & Milena Ściskalska & Marta Kepinska, 2021. "The Changes in Stress Coping, Alcohol Use, Cigarette Smoking and Physical Activity during COVID-19 Related Lockdown in Medical Students in Poland," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(1), pages 1-15, December.
    16. Katharina C. Wirnitzer & Mohamad Motevalli & Derrick R. Tanous & Gerold Wirnitzer & Karl-Heinz Wagner & Armando Cocca & Manuel Schätzer & Werner Kirschner & Clemens Drenowatz & Gerhard Ruedl, 2022. "Study Protocol of “Sustainably Healthy—From Science 2 Highschool & University”—Prevalence of Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets Linked to Sports & Exercise among Austrian Tertiary Students and Lecture," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(22), pages 1-24, November.
    17. Elena Druică & Rodica Ianole-Călin & Monica Sakizlian & Daniela Aducovschi & Remus Dumitrescu & Robert Sakizlian, 2021. "Testing the Youth Physical Activity Promotion Model during the COVID-19 Pandemic, with Partial Least Squares Second-Order Latent Constructs," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(12), pages 1-15, June.
    18. Emily Mear & Valerie Frances Gladwell & Jamie Pethick, 2022. "The Effect of Breaking Up Sedentary Time with Calisthenics on Neuromuscular Function: A Preliminary Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(21), pages 1-14, November.
    19. Yichen, Ma & Chuntian, Lu, 2024. "Is lifestyle a bridge between perceived social support and depression in Chinese university students?," Children and Youth Services Review, Elsevier, vol. 156(C).
    20. María Giner-Murillo & Beatriz Atienza-Carbonell & Jose Cervera-Martínez & Teresa Bobes-Bascarán & Benedicto Crespo-Facorro & Raquel B. De Boni & Cristina Esteban & María Paz García-Portilla & Susana G, 2021. "Lifestyle in Undergraduate Students and Demographically Matched Controls during the COVID-19 Pandemic in Spain," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(15), pages 1-17, July.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:21:y:2024:i:5:p:626-:d:1395139. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.