Year-end Sale % OFF 
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 < 0.001 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.
Highlights
Professors are a group of professionals who are extremely important for society and who are subject to factors of stress, such as long working days, a decrease in the time devoted to leisure and sport, having little time to rest, lack of sleep, and to the manner in which they nourish themselves [5]
Size, and body mass index (BMI), significant differences between genders are observed, the median values being higher in men as compared to women
With respect to the centre where professors teach, statistically significant differences were observed between both genders; in addition, men show a higher BMI than women, significant differences being found between both genders, which results are similar to those found in a study conducted by Bacârea et al [46]
Summary
University professors require optimal health conditions to fulfil their main tasks such as research, university management, continuous improvement of teaching since these are essential elements in the educational process of future professionals [1,2,3,4]. Professors are a group of professionals who are extremely important for society and who are subject to factors of stress, such as long working days, a decrease in the time devoted to leisure and sport, having little time to rest, lack of sleep, and to the manner in which they nourish themselves [5]. Health status, and nutritional habits are important factors to be taken into account for a healthy lifestyle [6] since they seem to have an influence on cellular ageing [7,8], besides reducing the risk of cardiovascular events [9].
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International journal of environmental research and public health
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
