Abstract
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) are potent health promotion settings, uniquely positioned to aid societal efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs). International evidence suggests that health metrics and lifestyle behaviours of higher education students are sub-optimal, yet a dearth of contemporary Irish data exists. This study aimed to examine sex differences in student lifestyle behaviours and identify significant predictors of positive mental health in an Irish HEI setting. An online questionnaire instrument distributed to all registered students (n = 11,261) gathered data regarding a multitude of health and lifestyle domains. Many items were adapted from previous Irish research. Further validated scales included the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT), Mental-Health Index 5 (MHI-5) and the Energy and Vitality Index (EVI). Self-reported height/body mass were also recorded. In total, 2267 responses were analysed (51.7% female, 48.3% male). Both sexes demonstrated poor sleeping patterns, hazardous drinking and sub-optimal fruit and vegetable intake. The calculated prevalence of overweight/obesity was 38.2%. Both sexes underestimated obesity. Males underestimated and females overestimated overweight. Males displayed riskier behavioural patterns with regard to illicit substances, drinking, and sexual partners. Females reported greater psychological distress. Multivariate linear regression identified 8 variables as predictors of positive mental health, accounting for 37% of the variance in EVI scores. In conclusion, HEI students would benefit from sex-specific multi-level health promotion initiatives to remove macro-level barriers to healthier lifestyles.
Highlights
Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) students would benefit from sex-specific multi-level health promotion initiatives to remove macro-level barriers to healthier lifestyles
Unhealthy lifestyles increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, diabetes and cancers [1]
The purpose of the current study was to explore a series of student health parameters and lifestyle behaviours within a medium-sized HEI in southern Ireland
Summary
Unhealthy lifestyles increase the risk of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as cardiovascular disease, respiratory disorders, diabetes and cancers [1]. Due to the deleterious physiological and economic effects of NCDs, enabling healthy behaviours throughout the lifespan is a fundamental priority of the. Irish Government’s health promotion strategy [3]. In this regard, higher education may constitute a cost-effective setting for the implementation of health education initiatives [4]. Higher education may constitute a cost-effective setting for the implementation of health education initiatives [4] It is a uniquely transitional life stage where a multitude of lifestyle behaviours and social experiences are interwoven within the culture and built environment of a single. Financial scarcity and academic stressors [6]
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