Abstract
Background:Lifestyle behaviours are usually formed during youth or young adulthood which makes college students a particularly vulnerable group that easily can adopt unhealthy lifestyle behaviour.Aim:The aim of this cross-sectional study was to explore the influence of socio-demographic factors on Swedish university students’ lifestyle behaviours and self-rated health.Method:Data were collected from a convenience sample of 152 students using questionnaires consisting of a socio-demographic section followed by previously well-validated instruments. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics: t-tests, analysis of variance (ANOVA) and regression tests.Findings:The results of this study show that the lifestyle behaviours under study (physical activity, perceived stress and eating behaviours) as well as self-rated health can be predicted to a certain extent by socio-demographic factors such as gender, mother tongue and parents’ educational level. Male university students were shown to be physically more active than female students; the male students were less stressed and rated their overall health, fitness level and mental health higher. Female students were more prone to adopt unhealthy eating behaviours.Discussion:This study addresses gender differences and their influences on lifestyle behaviours; it provides both theoretical explanations for these differences as well as presents some practical implications of the findings.
Highlights
Previous studies clearly indicate that premature morbidity and mortality are primarily the result of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours (Boot, Rosiers, Meijman, & Van Hal, 2010; Dodd, Al-Nakeeb, Nevill, & Forshaw, 2010; Kvaavik, Batty, Ursin, Huxley, & Gale, 2010; World-Health-Organization, 2010)
The results of this study show that the lifestyle behaviours under study as well as self-rated health can be predicted to a certain extent by socio-demographic factors such as gender, mother tongue and parents’ educational level
The findings of this study reveal that there is a great need to address health and lifestyle of university students since their lifestyle behaviours may have an impact on their future lives and wellbeing
Summary
Previous studies clearly indicate that premature morbidity and mortality are primarily the result of unhealthy lifestyle behaviours (Boot, Rosiers, Meijman, & Van Hal, 2010; Dodd, Al-Nakeeb, Nevill, & Forshaw, 2010; Kvaavik, Batty, Ursin, Huxley, & Gale, 2010; World-Health-Organization, 2010). Findings: The results of this study show that the lifestyle behaviours under study (physical activity, perceived stress and eating behaviours) as well as self-rated health can be predicted to a certain extent by socio-demographic factors such as gender, mother tongue and parents’ educational level. Students find themselves in a new, challenging and competitive environment; most of them are experiencing independence and responsibility for the first time in their lives During university time they adopt new health behaviours and there may be a risk that they continue with unhealthy lifestyle choices that were established during their university years, which makes them a risk group during these years but for the rest of their lives. Many students experience stress caused by a number of factors, e.g. failing classes, competition or social pressure, which can result in other health problems such as insufficient sleeping patterns or a decrease in mental wellbeing
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