Physical activity, eating habits and tobacco and alcohol use in students of a Catalan university

Abstract

Introduction: University populations are considered as vulnerable groups when it comes to acquiring health habits. Objective: The aim of this study is to know the levels of physical activity and health habits of the students of the University of Lleida. Methods: Healthy habits and the practice of physical activity in university students were evaluated through the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ). Results: 600 students from the University of Lleida participated during the period 2014-2015. 30.7% of them smoked, while 96.7% reported alcohol consupmtion, and 75.5% practiced physical activity. More than 62% of male students practiced physical activity between 3 and 7 days a week compared to 33.5% of women (p=0.000). More than 30% of the students ingested fruit every day and 65% did so at least 4 days a week. 19.4% of women and 7.9% of men consumed fruit daily, finding significant differences (p=0.001). Conclusions: 30% of the participant did not meet the minimum recommendations of physical activity. A high percentage of participants have a low fruits and vegetables consumption and a high prevalence of risk of alcohol consumption. An educational intervention by universities is suggested to encourage the practice of healthy habits in students.

This research was financially supported by the Instituto de Desarrollo Social y Territorial of the University of Lleida. Scholarship INDEST2016. Vicenç Hernández-González received the post-doctoral fellowship granted by the Vice-Rector for Academic Staff of the University of Lleida (Spain) 2015/2017. The work was also partially funded by the SGR (2014/16N:917) Generalitat de Catalunya. This work is also a part of the project Práctica de actividad física en bicicleta: efectos sobre la salud y calidad de vida. ASISA ChairUniversity of Lleida. Lecture ASISA-2017.