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Chrzan-Rodak A, Bąk J, Chałdaś-Majdańska J, Machul M, Obuchowska A, Grzegorczyk A, Dziurka M, Ozdoba P, Dobrowolska B. Health-Related Behaviours of Foreign Students Studying in Poland and Their Determinants: A Mixed-Methods Study. Nutrients 2024; 16:1149. [PMID: 38674839 PMCID: PMC11054401 DOI: 10.3390/nu16081149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2024] [Revised: 04/03/2024] [Accepted: 04/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/28/2024] Open
Abstract
Educational migration benefits students and receiving countries, but universities are challenged to meet a variety of needs, such as cultural adaptation and changes in health behaviours such as dietary habits. This study aimed to assess the health-related behaviours, encompassing dietary/eating habits, among international students in Poland, while also elucidating the factors influencing these behaviours. The study consisted of two phases: (phase 1) cross-sectional research among 231 foreign students using the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire (FLQ); and (phase 2) focus group interviews with 15 international students. The study was conducted in accordance with STROBE (STrengthening the Reporting of OBservational studies in Epidemiology) and COREQ (COnsolidated criteria for REporting Qualitative research) Checklists. It was shown that the respondents highly value health. Students' health-related behaviours are related to their financial situation, health condition, self-assessment of their lifestyle, the importance attached to being healthy, and their country of origin. The qualitative analysis allowed us to identify (1) the barriers related to the exhibiting of health-related behaviours, (2) expectations of foreign students regarding the exhibiting of health-related behaviours, (3) changes in the health-related behaviours, and (4) factors facilitating the exhibiting of health-related behaviours. There is a need for inter-university cooperation on a strategy to promote health-promoting behaviours of foreign students studying in Poland.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnieszka Chrzan-Rodak
- Department of Family and Geriatric Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland;
| | - Jadwiga Bąk
- Upper Silesian Centre for Child and Mother’s Health, Medyków Street 16, 40-752 Katowice, Poland;
| | | | - Michał Machul
- Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (A.O.); (A.G.); (M.D.); (B.D.)
| | - Anna Obuchowska
- Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (A.O.); (A.G.); (M.D.); (B.D.)
- Students’ Scientific Association, Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Grzegorczyk
- Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (A.O.); (A.G.); (M.D.); (B.D.)
| | - Magdalena Dziurka
- Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (A.O.); (A.G.); (M.D.); (B.D.)
| | - Patrycja Ozdoba
- Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (A.O.); (A.G.); (M.D.); (B.D.)
| | - Beata Dobrowolska
- Department of Holistic Care and Nursing Management, Faculty of Health Sciences, Medical University of Lublin, 20-081 Lublin, Poland; (M.M.); (A.O.); (A.G.); (M.D.); (B.D.)
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Braga JPC, Wolfgram E, Batista de Souza JP, Fausto Silva LG, Estavien Y, de Almeida R, Pestana CR. Lifestyle and Sense of Coherence: A comparative analysis among university students in different areas of knowledge. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0288624. [PMID: 37768963 PMCID: PMC10538790 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0288624] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/24/2023] [Accepted: 07/02/2023] [Indexed: 09/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The concept of health has undergone profound changes. Lifestyle Medicine consists of therapeutic approaches that focus on the prevention and treatment of diseases. It follows that the quality of life of university students directly affects their health and educational progress. EXPERIMENTAL METHODOLOGY Socioeconomic, lifestyle (LS), and Salutogenesis Theory/sense of coherence (SOC) questionnaires were administered to college students from three different areas. The results were analyzed for normality and homogeneity, followed by ANOVA variance analysis and Dunn and Tukey post hoc test for multiple comparisons. Spearman's correlation coefficient evaluated the correlation between lifestyle and sense of coherence; p values < 0.05 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS The correlation between LS and SOC was higher among males and higher among Medical and Human sciences students compared to Exact sciences. Medical students' scores were higher than Applied sciences and Human sciences students on the LS questionnaire. Exact science students' scores on the SOC questionnaire were higher than Human sciences students. In the LS areas related to alcohol intake, sleeping quality, and behavior, there were no differences between the areas. However, women scored better in the nutrition domain and alcohol intake. The SOC was also higher in men compared to women. CONCLUSION The results obtained demonstrate in an unprecedented way in the literature that the correlation between the LS and SOC of college students varies according to gender and areas of knowledge, reflecting the importance of actions on improving students' quality of life and enabling better academic performance.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Yonel Estavien
- Medical School, UNILA University, Foz do Iguaçu, Parana, Brazil
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Batista P, Neves-Amado J, Pereira A, Amado J. FANTASTIC lifestyle questionnaire from 1983 until 2022: A review. Health Promot Perspect 2023; 13:88-98. [PMID: 37600548 PMCID: PMC10439457 DOI: 10.34172/hpp.2023.11] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/29/2022] [Accepted: 01/21/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Studying lifestyles has always been important; quantifying them has become more complex. However, a questionnaire produced in 1983 has shown that its simple form of evaluation can be an added value in understanding lifestyles. Our aim is a systematic review of the scientific literature about the use of the FANTASTIC Lifestyle questionnaire (FLQ). Methods The reflective systematic literature review on PubMed, Medline, Science Direct, and SCIELO databases with the descriptors "FANTASTIC Lifestyle questionnaire" OR "FANTASTICO questionnaire" OR "FANTASTIC questionnaire" OR "FANTASTIC survey" OR "FANTASTIC checklist". PRISMA criteria reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analyses were applied. The inclusion criteria were the use of FLQ instrument to measure lifestyles, presenting quantitative or qualitative results, and psychometric studies. It excluded other lifestyle instruments, incomplete articles, and non-English, Brazilian, Spanish, and Portuguese language articles. Results Findings reveal 41 scientific articles included in the study. It analyzed the results and most studies use the instrument to assess all dimensions. However, some studies reported assessing specific dimensions such as nutrition, sleep, stress, tobacco, alcohol, and drugs. The questionnaire has been applied to a wide range of ages and literacy levels. Conclusion This literature review allowed us to conclude that this questionnaire is still in use today and is applied in several contexts and populations. It is also possible to verify the relevance of its use and to design intervention strategies and programs for a healthy society. It is essential to draw attention to this issue and promote health literacy (HL) on this topic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Batista
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH), Human Neurobehavioral Laboratory (HNL), Porto, Portuga
| | - João Neves-Amado
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Institute of Health Sciences (ICS), Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Pereira
- University of Évora, Center for Research in Education and Psychology, Évora, Portugal
| | - João Amado
- Universidade Católica Portuguesa, Centre for Interdisciplinary Research in Health (CIIS), Porto, Portugal
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Andraus GS, Vieira FM, Candido GDM, Patino GP, Bernardelli RS, de Palma HLA. Associations between Lifestyle and Sociodemographic Factors in Medical Students: A Cross Sectional Study. J Lifestyle Med 2023; 13:73-82. [PMID: 37250281 PMCID: PMC10210967 DOI: 10.15280/jlm.2023.13.1.73] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/24/2022] [Revised: 01/15/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Identifying lifestyle characteristics in higher education can lead to effective interventions that benefit both individuals and communities. Methods This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted on medical students of a private university using the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire (FLQ) to assess healthy lifestyles, as well as a custom sociodemographic questionnaire. Additionally, correlations among sociodemographic factors and alcohol intake, activity, tobacco and toxins, family and friends, insight, nutrition, type of behavior, career, sleep, seatbelt, stress, and safe sex domains were assessed. Results This study assessed 188 lifestyle profiles, of which 148 have complete data for evaluating the total FLQ score. The majority of evaluated lifestyles were characterized as "good (42.5%)" and "very good (35.8%)", and correlations were identified between the total FLQ score and between the preclinical and later course phases, the 18-20 years and older age brackets, and any romantic relationship and being single. Additional associations were observed for the other domains with other sociodemographic factors. Conclusion Medical students frequently present with a lifestyle that may be improved through various targeted interventions.
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Batista P, Neves-Amado J, Pereira A, Amado J. Application of the FANTASTIC Lifestyle Questionnaire in the Academic Context. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10122503. [PMID: 36554026 PMCID: PMC9777771 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10122503] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2022] [Revised: 12/07/2022] [Accepted: 12/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Studying citizens' lifestyles is extremely important for understanding society and the social conditions of the personal lifestyle. Understanding the lifestyles of university students is especially important because they will be the future citizens and professionals who will shape society's future. The aim of this study was a systematic review of the scientific literature about the use of the FANTASTIC Lifestyle questionnaire in an academic context. The reflective systematic literature review was carried out on PubMed, MEDLINE, Science Direct, and SCIELO databases with the keywords ("FANTASTIC Lifestyle questionnaire" OR "FANTASTICO questionnaire" OR "FANTASTIC questionnaire" OR "FANTASTIC survey" OR "FANTASTIC checklist") AND ("university students"). The PRISMA criteria for reporting systematic reviews and meta-analyses were applied. The inclusion criteria were the use of the "FANTASTIC Lifestyle questionnaire" instrument for measuring lifestyles, the presentation of quantitative or qualitative results, and psychometric studies. The exclusion criteria were no use of FANTASTIC Lifestyle Questionnaire; other population, no quantitative or qualitative analysis, incomplete articles. The 15 scientific articles included in the study were analyzed. This literature review allowed us to conclude the importance and usefulness/actuality of this questionnaire. Furthermore, the importance of diagnosis should be emphasized, as should the development of strategies and intervention programs for the maintenance or creation of healthy societies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patrícia Batista
- Human Neurobehavioral Laboratory (HNL), Research Centre for Human Development (CEDH), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence:
| | - João Neves-Amado
- Instituto de Ciências da Saúde (ICS), Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Saúde (CIIS), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
| | - Anabela Pereira
- Centro de Investigação em Educação e Psicologia, Universidade de Évora, 7000-849 Évora, Portugal
| | - João Amado
- Centro de Investigação Interdisciplinar em Saúde (CIIS), Universidade Católica Portuguesa, 4169-005 Porto, Portugal
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The Validity and Reliability of the FANTASTIC Questionnaire for Nutritional and Lifestyle Studies in University Students. Nutrients 2022; 14:nu14163328. [PMID: 36014834 PMCID: PMC9413330 DOI: 10.3390/nu14163328] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/11/2022] [Accepted: 08/12/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
The FANTASTIC questionnaire is a scientific instrument that can be used by health professionals for quickly and effectively measuring the quality of life and lifestyle of people. It is a simple questionnaire that measures different dimensions including nutritional status, but the possibility of using it as a resource for studies in the nutritional field (regardless of its correlation with this) has never been considered, nor has it been used for studies in university populations. The aim was to validate the FANTASTIC questionnaire to report on the participant’s lifestyle in a Spanish university population by using a cross-sectional study. A sample of 501 participants was obtained. The study was approved by the Ethics Research Committee of Catholic University of Valencia, and written informed consent was obtained from all participants. Sociodemographic, lifestyle variables, habitual diet, and nutrition-related lifestyle were collected individually. Participants also completed the self-administered FANTASTIC questionnaire. The reliability analysis of the FANTASTIC questionnaire revealed a Cronbach’s Alpha statistic result of 0.797. The Kaiser–Meyer–Olkin (KMO) value was 0.786, with a significant Bartlett’s Test of Sphericity (p = 0.000). This shows that the FANTASTIC questionnaire has good internal consistency and good construct validity. A retest was performed in four weeks’ time, showing excellent intraclass correlation values. We consider the applicability of the FANTASTIC questionnaire for nutritional studies in Spanish university students to be appropriate, and most students have high scores in the nutritional aspects of the questionnaire, showing correct diet implementation and good cooking skills.
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