Characterising the activity, lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes of UK university students: an observational cohort study with a focus on gender and ethnicity.

Characterising the activity, lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes of UK university students: an observational cohort study with a focus on gender and ethnicity.

Publication date: Dec 18, 2024

Health-related outcomes and behaviours in university students are known to be poor relative to the general population. The substantial contextual shifts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with increased numbers of students from minoritised ethnicity backgrounds and presenting as trans and gender diverse (TGD), means that up-to-date information is unavailable. The primary aim of this study was therefore to characterise the current movement, dietary and lifestyle behaviours, mental health, and Body Mass Index (BMI) of UK university students and assess differences between genders and ethnic groups. An online, self-report survey was administered across three years (2021-2023). Three independent cohorts of university students’ (n = 6,327) completed the survey on four key topic areas. One-way ANOVAs were used to assess differences between genders (men, women, TGD), and independent samples t-tests were used to assess differences between ethnic groups (White, Minoritised Ethnicity). 30% of students were not meeting physical activity guidelines, 54% were sedentary for ≥ 6 h.d, 83% had poor diet quality, 51% were in high or increased risk groups for alcohol consumption, 18% experienced terrible or poor sleep quality, and 32% were overweight or obese. Gender differences were present for all variables other than walking physical activity (WPA) (P 

Open Access PDF

Concepts Keywords
Diet Adolescent
Pandemic Adult
Women Behaviour
Body Mass Index
Cohort Studies
COVID-19
Diet
Ethnicity
Ethnicity
Exercise
Female
Gender diversity
Health
Health Behavior
Humans
Life Style
Lifestyle
Male
Mental Health
Sex Factors
Student
Students
United Kingdom
Universities
Young Adult

Semantics

Type Source Name
disease MESH lifestyle
disease MESH COVID-19 pandemic
disease IDO quality
drug DRUGBANK Ethanol
disease MESH sleep quality
disease MESH overweight
pathway REACTOME Reproduction
disease MESH Overall health
drug DRUGBANK Polyethylene glycol
disease MESH weight gain
disease MESH anxiety
disease MESH morbidity
drug DRUGBANK Coenzyme M
disease IDO process
disease IDO history
drug DRUGBANK Iron
drug DRUGBANK Medroxyprogesterone acetate
drug DRUGBANK Valproic Acid
disease MESH Underweight
disease MESH obesity
drug DRUGBANK Ethionamide
disease IDO host
disease MESH alcohol dependence
pathway REACTOME Immune System
disease MESH mental illness
disease MESH cardiovascular risk
disease MESH depression
drug DRUGBANK Trestolone
drug DRUGBANK Etoperidone
disease MESH sedentary behavior
disease MESH interpersonal violence
disease MESH psychological distress
drug DRUGBANK Elm
drug DRUGBANK Carboxyamidotriazole
disease MESH primary insomnia
drug DRUGBANK Aminosalicylic Acid
drug DRUGBANK L-Phenylalanine
disease MESH loneliness
disease MESH psychological stress
disease MESH Morbid obesity
drug DRUGBANK Bismuth subgallate

Original Article

(Visited 1 times, 1 visits today)

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *