Impact of academic exposure on health status of university students

Health Literacy, Health Behaviors, and Body Mass Index Impacts on Quality of Life: Cross-Sectional Study of University Students in Surabaya, Indonesia

University student life is an important transformation stage with many potential factors that can impact negatively on the Quality of Life (QOL) and the adoption of unhealthy behaviors. Health literacy (HL), Health Behaviors (HBs), and Body Mass Index (BMI) have been found to be essential components in influencing QOL, in addition to socioeconomic determinants. To identify the influential factors of QOL, we performed a cross-sectional survey in a university, and 955 undergraduate students were enrolled as respondents. We measured two different aspects of HL, i.e., Comprehensive Health Literacy (CHL) and Functional Health Literacy (FHL). Overall, QOL scores in four domains did not differ, regarded as medium with averages ranging from 57.00–63.98, and no significant difference between male and female students. In multivariate analysis, CHL had a significant positive influence on all domains, while FHL only affected the psychological and environmental domains with negative associations. Academic performance had a significant positive association with physical and psychological domains. Students from education majors had higher QOL in the psychological and social domains. Moreover, students with normal or underweight BMI status had better psychological QOL, and physical exercise had a positive association with the social relationship and environmental domains. The findings confirmed that CHL and FHL had significant associations with QOL domains in different ways that should be addressed accordingly. Public health practitioners should carefully empower students to use both CHL and FHL as decision-making skills by incorporating them into related curricula.

Identifying factors associated with obesity traits in undergraduate students: a scoping review

OBJECTIVES

This scoping review identifies factors associated with obesity traits including body mass index, weight, and body fat percentage in undergraduate students.

METHODS

We searched CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsycINFO for original studies of undergraduate students where an obesity trait was associated with a risk factor.

RESULTS

Two-hundred sixty-eight articles were included comprising of 251 studies: 186 cross-sectional, 50 cohort, 11 interventional, and 4 qualitative. We extracted data on risk/protective factors, obesity traits, and the direction of effect between them. We identified a variety of factors including age, sex, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, religion, diet, eating habits, physical activity, sedentary activity, sleep, stress, university campus life, alcohol use, smoking, psychiatric disorders, body image, eating attitude, eating regulation, personality, sociocultural influences, and genetics. The majority of associations were cross-sectional. For longitudinal findings, usually only one study investigated each trait.

CONCLUSIONS

This review identifies a need for higher quality evidence to support results from cross-sectional studies and replication of findings of longitudinal studies. This review identifies gaps in the literature, generates hypotheses, guides researchers to plan future studies, and helps decision-makers design obesity-prevention programs in universities.

Bem-estar no ambiente de trabalho em escolas de enfermagem brasileiras

Objetivo: Evaluar el bienestar laboral del personal docente y técnico-administrativo en escuelas de enfermería de universidades públicas brasileiras. Materiales y métodos: Estudio descriptivo, transversal, cuantitativo con 69 participantes de cinco instituciones universitarias. La recolección de los datos se realizó en 2015-2016. Se empleó un cuestionario semiestructurado para la caracterización de la población, así como la escala de bienestar en el trabajo, la escala de soporte organizacional percibido y la escala de oportunidades de trabajo. Para el análisis descriptivo se utilizó el software SPSS 17.0, presentando los datos en valores absolutos y relativos. Resultados: Los participantes fueron predominantemente del sexo femenino, con edades entre 18 y 29 años, solteros y con una renta mensual entre U$ 453.87 a 907.14. En el tipo de vínculo con la institución, 69.5% fueron técnico-administrativos y 30.5% docentes. La mayoría de los entrevistados trabaja más de 40 horas a la semana y 50% tienen otro vínculo laboral. Al evaluar el bienestar laboral se identificó que la mayoría de los trabajadores estaba moderadamente alegre, entusiasmado y desarrollaba habilidades importantes. Sin embargo, también los deja molestos e impacientes. Al evaluarse el soporte organizacional se identificó que 55.9% refieren que la institución mantiene coherencia entre las directrices, metas y acciones que desarrollan. Relacionado con las oportunidades en el trabajo, la mayoría de los encuestados informaron que realiza actividades que les agradan. Conclusión: Es necesario ofrecer apoyo al desarrollo personal y laboral de los docentes y trabajadores técnico-administrativos, contribuyendo para el  bienestar laboral del servidor público de las escuelas de enfermería de universidades brasileiras. Resumo Objetivo: Avaliar o bem-estar no trabalho de docentes e técnico-administrativos em Escolas de Enfermagem de Universidades públicas brasileiras. Materiais e Método: Estudo descritivo, transversal, quantitativo, com 69 participantes de cinco instituições universitárias. A coleta dos dados ocorreu em 2015-2016. Utilizou-se um questionário semiestruturado para caracterização da população além da Escala de Bem-Estar no Trabalho, Escala de Suporte Organizacional Percebido e Escala de Oportunidades do Trabalho. Para a análise estatística descritiva utilizou-se o software Statistical Package for the Social Science versão 17.0, sendo os dados apresentados por meio de valores absolutos e percentuais. Resultados: Os participantes foram, majoritariamente, do sexo feminino, com 18 a 29 anos, solteiros e com renda mensal de 453,87 a 907,14 dólares. Com relação à categoria profissional, 69,5% eram técnico-administrativos e 30,5% docentes. A maioria dos entrevistados trabalhava até 40 horas semanais e 50% possuíam outro vínculo empregatício. Avaliando o bem-estar laboral identificou-se que a maioria dos trabalhadores estava moderadamente alegre, entusiasmada e desenvolvia habilidades importantes. Porém, o trabalho também deixou parte dos trabalhadores irritados, chateados e impacientes. Ao avaliar o suporte organizacional constatou-se que 55,9% referiram que a Instituição mantém coerência entre diretrizes, metas e ações. Com relação às oportunidades no trabalho a maioria respondeu executar atividades que os agrada. Conclusão: Faz-se necessário oferecer apoio ao desenvolvimento pessoal e laboral dos docentes e trabalhadores técnico-administrativos, contribuindo para o bem-estar no trabalho do servidor público de universidades brasileiras.

[Relationship between tobacco consumption and sport practice among health and education science university students]

OBJECTIVE

To identify the prevalence and relationship between the practice of sports and smoking in university students enrolled on accredited qualifications related to health and/or education sciences.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study including 540 students (average age of 21.3±3.8 years; 68% women) of the University of Vigo registered in degree programs linked to health (Physical Therapy and Nursing), or education (Pre-School, Primary School and Physical Activity and Sport Sciences) who answered an "ad hoc" questionnaire relating sports practice and tobacco consumption.

RESULTS

Women showed a lower habit on sports practice and a higher tobacco consumption, regardless of their academic degree. The average share of students who recognized practicing sports was significantly minor in those enrolled in health careers (37.7 vs. 57.5%). Regarding tobacco consumption, the students enrolled in health careers reported the lowest prevalence (16.7%). Among the students associated to education, this prevalence was found to be 25.9%. The bivariate analysis showed a trend towards a lower sport practice among the smokers. This association was significant only among the moderate consumers.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of this research show a low prevalence in sports practice among students enrolled in degrees associated to health, and a more relevant tobacco consumption among those enrolled in degrees associated to education. It seems necessary to develop strategies aimed at promoting healthy habits that should be taking into account the tobacco consumption reported by the student.

CHANGE IN BLOOD PRESSURE LEVELS IN COLLEGE STUDENTS

The aim in this study was to evaluate the pressure levels in college students and their relation with socioeconomic level, lifestyle and biochemical data. This is a descriptive, cross-sectional study, conducted with 550 students from a public university in Picos-PI, in 2013. A form containing socioeconomic data, lifestyle, waist circumference, blood pressure, fasting serum glucose, triglycerides and HDL-cholesterol was applied. We observed elevated blood pressure levels in 21.5% of males and 2.2% of females, with significant representation (p<0.0001). There was a statistically significant association for smoking (p<0.0001) and alcohol consumption (p<0.0001) with systolic and diastolic blood pressure, as well as for waist circumference (p=0.0039). When considering the quality of life for the coming years, it is important to note the need to implement measures that promote changes in lifestyle with the acquisition of healthy habits.

Prevalência de comportamentos de risco em adulto jovem e universitário

Objetivo Conhecer a prevalência de comportamentos de risco em adulto jovem e universitário.Métodos Estudo transversal com 210 universitários com idades entre 18 a 24 anos. O instrumento de pesquisa foi um questionário validado National College Health Risk Behavior Survey. Para análise dos dados, utilizaram-se estatística descritiva, análise bivariada e coeficientes de regressão logística.Resultados Dentre os estudantes, 40% consumiram álcool, 25% apresentaram excesso de peso, 19% utilizaram motocicletas para transporte e 6% relataram tentativa de suicídio. Consumo de álcool, excesso de peso e prática de atividades esportivas associaram-se aos homens. Tentativa de suicídio e hábitos alimentares mais saudáveis associaram-se às mulheres.Conclusão Os participantes adotaram comportamentos que colocaram a saúde em risco, sendo essa atitude mais frequentes nos homens. O consumo de álcool foi o comportamento de risco mais prevalente nessa população.

Experiences of Health Related Lifestyles in High Body Fat but Non-obese Female College Students in Korea

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to describe and understand the lifestyles of non-obese female college students with high body fat (HBF).

METHODS

The interview data were collected from 18 female students [body mass index (BMI) <23 kg/m(2) and body fat ratio ≥30%] and analyzed by using descriptive phenomenology of Colaizzi. The procedural steps described the phenomenon of interest, collected participants' descriptions of the phenomenon, extracted the meaning of significant statements, organized the meanings into clusters, wrote exhaustive descriptions and then incorporated data into an exhaustive description.

RESULTS

The results in 153 restatements, 36 constructed meanings, 22 themes, seven theme clusters, and three categories were deduced. The three categories were: diminished daily concerns of health, changes in living habits by stressors, and perceived unbalance in health.

CONCLUSION

This study describes non-obese female university students' experiences with HBF and their lifestyles. The findings have important implications for health promotion for non-obese female university students with HBF and must be considered when developing education courses for preparing adults.

Condutas negativas à saúde em estudantes universitários brasileiros

O objetivo foi estimar as prevalências e os fatores associados aos menores níveis de atividades físicas no lazer, consumo insuficiente de frutas e de hortaliças, consumo de bebidas alcoólicas e hábito de fumar em estudantes de uma universidade pública da região Nordeste do Brasil. A amostra foi estratificada segundo o curso, o período de estudo e o ano de ingresso na universidade. As condutas negativas foram analisadas em relação aos indicadores sociodemográficos e de vínculo com a universidade, por meio das Razões de Prevalências. As condutas negativas de saúde mais prevalentes foram: consumo insuficiente de frutas, hortaliças, menores níveis de atividades físicas no lazer e consumo de bebidas alcoólicas. O consumo insuficiente de frutas, hábito de fumar e consumo excessivo de bebidas alcoólicas foram maiores em homens. Além disso, o consumo insuficiente de hortaliças foi maior em homens, mais jovens, sem companheira, do pai com o ensino fundamental incompleto e com três anos de vivência na universidade. Os menores níveis de atividades físicas no lazer foram maiores em mulheres, mais velhas, com pai com ensino fundamental incompleto e que avaliaram negativamente os relacionamentos com os colegas.

Study of lipid profile in a population of university students

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the lipid profile in a population of university students.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with 702 students, of both genders enrolled in various courses at a public university in Fortaleza-CE. The demographic data and data on lifestyle habits were collected through a self-administered questionnaire. The blood collection was performed in a clinical laboratory.

RESULTS

Showed a predominantly young population, with a mean age of 21.5 years with more females (62.7%). High levels of triglycerides, total cholesterol and cholesterol associated with low density lipoprotein (LDL-c) were found in 23.0%, 9.7% and 5.9% of students, respectively. The cholesterol associated with high density lipoprotein (HDL-c) was at reduced values in 12.0% of subjects and was significantly associated with smoking (p=0.0231) and physical inactivity (p=0.0357).

CONCLUSION

Changes in lipid profile are present in the young population and intervention studies should be encouraged in order to reduce the prevalence of cardiovascular disease in adulthood.

Relationship between physical activity and depression and anxiety symptoms: a population study

BACKGROUND

There are few studies evaluating the association between practice of physical activity and mood in a population sample. This study evaluated the frequency of symptoms of depression and anxiety in the population of the city of Sao Paulo and their association with the report of practice of regular physical activity.

METHODS

This survey was conducted with the adult population of Sao Paulo between July and December of 2007. The sample was composed of 1042 volunteers (both genders) with a mean age of 41.9±14.4 years. The volunteers were evaluated using the Beck Depression Inventory, the Beck Anxiety Inventory, and two simple questions designed to evaluate and classify physical activity. Socioeconomic status was also determined according to Brazil's Economic Classification Criterion.

RESULTS

People who do not engage in physical activity are two times more likely to exhibit symptoms of depression (PR: 2.1) and anxiety (PR: 2.5) compared with those who regularly practice physical activity and a higher prevalence of symptoms for anxiety (9.8%) and depression (10.9%) was observed among those claiming to not practice regular physical activity and 63.2% related did not practice any physical activity regularly.

CONCLUSION

Altogether, these results suggest that people who do not practice physical activity have a higher chance of exhibiting symptoms of depression and anxiety when compared to those who perform physical activity regularly. In this sense, regular physical activity must be encouraged, and this incentive should be routine in both current and future public health policies. Although the methodology in the present study does not allow assigning a relation of cause and effect, we observed associations between symptoms of depression, anxiety and physical activity.