Determination of healthy lifestyle behaviors and related factors in university students: An observational study

Abstract

It is important for students to acquire and maintain healthy lifestyle behaviors during university education. This study investigates healthy lifestyle behaviors and related factors in university students. A total of 869 associate degree students participated in the study. Data were collected with the Data Registration Form created by the researchers and the Health Promotion Lifestyle Profile-II (HPLP-II). The mean HPLP-II total score of the study group was 127.9±19.9. Students who stay with their families, whose economic status and general health perceptions are good/very good, and who do not smoke had higher health responsibility scores (p<0.05). The mean physical activity scores of students who were male, whose parents had higher education, and who had a good/very good general health perception were higher (p<0.05). The nutrition scores of the students who were studying in the second grade, who were staying with their families, who were non-smokers, who were overweight and obese, and who had a good/very good general health perception were found to be higher (p<0.05). Those with good/very good general health perception had higher interpersonal relations and personal development scores, and female students had higher interpersonal relations scores (p<0.05). The stress management scores of the second-grade students with good/very good general health perception were higher (p<0.05). It is important to implement lifestyle interventions to improve the health of university students. Considering socio-demographic factors in health promotion programs to be implemented may help develop healthy lifestyle behaviors.