1
|
Wirnitzer KC, Motevalli M, Cocca A, Tanous DR, Wirnitzer G, Wagner KH, Schätzer M, Drenowatz C, Ruedl G, Kirschner W. Health behavior of Austrian tertiary students focusing on diet type linked to sports and exercise-first glimpse of results from the "sustainably healthy-from science 2 high school and university" study. Front Public Health 2023; 11:1129004. [PMID: 37533531 PMCID: PMC10392833 DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2023.1129004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Background There is a strong association between lifestyle behavior and health status. While young adulthood is a critical period for adopting and stabilizing lifelong healthy behavior, university life is independently associated with psychological stressors that may further affect health and well-being. Objective The present multidisciplinary study aimed to examine the health behavior of Austrian college and university students, differentiated based on diet types (vegan, vegetarian, and omnivorous) and physical activity (PA) habits. Methods Following a cross-sectional study design, a total number of 6,148 students (65.3% females; 66.1% bachelor students, 67.0% from urban areas; mean age: 24.8 years) from 52 Austrian college/universities participated in an online survey and provided data on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary patterns, PA habits, and other lifestyle behavior characteristics, including alcohol intake and smoking. Results Across the total sample, 74.0% had a normal weight (BMI = 18.5-25.0 kg/m2), while the prevalence of overweight/obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) was lower in females than males and more in rural than urban students (p < 0.01). The general prevalence of vegetarian and vegan diets was 22.8 and 6.0%, respectively, with a predominance of females, graduates, and urban students compared to their peers (p < 0.01). The majority of students (79.3%) had a regular engagement in sport/exercise, with a predominance of vegetarian or vegan students compared to omnivores (p < 0.01). Vegans and vegetarians had a lower alcohol intake (p < 0.01) but no differences in smoking habits (p > 0.05) compared to omnivores. Students engaging in sport/exercise had a lower smoking rate and higher intake of fruits, vegetables, and fluids compared to inactive students (p < 0.01). Conclusion The present findings suggest that diet type and PA habits of college/university students have an impact on other health behaviors, highlighting the interconnected nature of lifestyle habits and health behavior.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina C. Wirnitzer
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Research Center Medical Humanities, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mohamad Motevalli
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Armando Cocca
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Derrick R. Tanous
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Karl-Heinz Wagner
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Manuel Schätzer
- Special Institute for Preventive Cardiology and Nutrition (SIPCAN), Elsbethen, Austria
| | - Clemens Drenowatz
- Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Teacher Education Upper Austria, Linz, Austria
| | - Gerhard Ruedl
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Kirschner
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Wirnitzer KC, Motevalli M, Tanous DR, Wirnitzer G, Wagner KH, Cocca A, Schätzer M, Kirschner W, Drenowatz C, Ruedl G. Study Protocol of "Sustainably Healthy-From Science 2 Highschool & University"-Prevalence of Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets Linked to Sports & Exercise among Austrian Tertiary Students and Lecturers/Academic Staff. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 19:15313. [PMID: 36430039 PMCID: PMC9690980 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph192215313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Revised: 11/14/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 06/16/2023]
Abstract
Healthy lifestyle is the major indicator of individual and public health especially in target populations (e.g., during emerging adulthood). Evidence indicates that unhealthy lifestyle behaviors are strongly associated with the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases. The dual approach of sustainable health (i.e., physical exercise tied to a healthy diet) is an effective lifestyle strategy to control and manage health-related disorders, including overweight/obesity. Based on the evidence on plant-based diets regarding health and considering the growing prevalence of vegans and vegetarians worldwide, limited data exist on the health-related behaviors of those who follow plant-based vs. mixed diets in young adulthood. This multidisciplinary study is the first to examine the association between diet type (mixed, vegetarian, and vegan diets) and various health-related behaviors (primarily physical activity, sport, & exercise) among college/university students and lecturers/academic staff in Austria nationwide. Following a cross-sectional study design and using online questionnaires, 4510 tertiary students and 1043 lecturers/academic staff provided data on sociodemographic characteristics, dietary patterns, physical exercise habits, and other lifestyle behaviors (sleep, alcohol intake, smoking, etc.) along with information on health status and quality of life. While the data will be analyzed based on differentiated sociodemographic and health-related categories, the influence of the COVID-19 pandemic on lifestyle behaviors will also be evaluated. As a study protocol, this article represents comprehensive details of the design, purposes, and associated analytical measures of the present study within the tertiary educational context.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina C. Wirnitzer
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, 6010 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
- Research Center Medical Humanities, Leopold-Franzens University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mohamad Motevalli
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, 6010 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Derrick R. Tanous
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, 6010 Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Karl-Heinz Wagner
- Department of Nutritional Sciences and Research Platform Active Ageing, University of Vienna, 1090 Vienna, Austria
| | - Armando Cocca
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Manuel Schätzer
- Special Institute for Preventive Cardiology and Nutrition—SIPCAN, 5061 Elsbethen, Austria
| | - Werner Kirschner
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Clemens Drenowatz
- Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Teacher Education Upper Austria, 4020 Linz, Austria
| | - Gerhard Ruedl
- Department of Sport Science, University of Innsbruck, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Wirnitzer KC, Tanous DR, Motevalli M, Göbel G, Wirnitzer G, Drenowatz C, Ruedl G, Cocca A, Kirschner W. Study protocol of "From Science 2 School"-prevalence of sports and physical exercise linked to omnivorous, vegetarian and vegan, diets among Austrian secondary schools. Front Sports Act Living 2022; 4:967915. [PMID: 36249320 PMCID: PMC9554638 DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2022.967915] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 09/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The increasing prevalence of unhealthy lifestyle choices contribute to almost all chronic conditions negatively affecting individual and public health. As the most beneficial preventative solution, a healthy lifestyle focusing on the dual approach of physical activity (PA) and a healthful diet is highly recommended. Considering the growing number of people interested in sustainable, plant-based diets, it seems crucial to analyze lifestyle behaviors with a special focus on diet type to delve deeper into the unenthusiastic health status among young populations. Therefore, this multidisciplinary study aims to survey and scale health behaviors with a special focus on the prevalence of traditional and vegetarian diets in connection with PA levels among Austrian pupils (10-19 years), teachers and principals in secondary education levels I and II. Following a cross-sectional design, sociodemographic and school-related data along with a complete profile of lifestyle behaviors, including detailed information regarding diet, PA, sports & exercise, and other health-related behaviors, were collected using online-based questionnaires. A total number of 8,845 children/adolescents (~1.2% of the eligible 771,525 Austrian secondary school pupils) and 1,350 adults (~1.5% of total eligible 89,243 Austrian teachers/principals) participated in the study. As this is the first investigation to explore the prevalence of veganism/vegetarianism amongst a large group of pupils, the present study will add an important contribution to overcome the lack of knowledge on PA, sports & exercise linked to healthy alternative diets. With a sustainable healthy lifestyle, a healthy transition from childhood to adulthood occurs, which can result in growing healthier functioning generations at all social levels. As a study protocol, the present article is intended to present comprehensive details of the study design, objectives, and the associated analytical procedures of the "From Science 2 School" study.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Katharina C. Wirnitzer
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
- Research Center Medical Humanities, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Derrick R. Tanous
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Mohamad Motevalli
- Department of Research and Development in Teacher Education, University College of Teacher Education Tyrol, Innsbruck, Austria
- Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Georg Göbel
- Department of Medical Statistics, Informatics and Health Economics, Medical University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | | | - Clemens Drenowatz
- Division of Sport, Physical Activity and Health, University of Teacher Education Upper Austria, Linz, Austria
| | - Gerhard Ruedl
- Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Armando Cocca
- Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Werner Kirschner
- Department of Sport Science, Leopold-Franzens University Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| |
Collapse
|