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Lifestyle, Quality of Life, and Health Promotion Needs in Mexican University Students: Important Differences by Sex and Academic Discipline

Author

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  • Georgina Mayela Núñez-Rocha

    (Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon., Nuevo León 66455, Mexico)

  • Cynthia Karyna López-Botello

    (Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon., Nuevo León 66455, Mexico)

  • Ana María Salinas-Martínez

    (Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon., Nuevo León 66455, Mexico
    Unidad de Investigación Epidemiológica y en Servicios de Salud, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social., Nuevo León 64360, Mexico)

  • Hiram V. Arroyo-Acevedo

    (Escuela de Salud Pública, Recinto de Ciencias Médicas, Universidad de Puerto Rico, San Juan, PR 00931, USA)

  • Rebeca Thelma Martínez-Villarreal

    (Centro Universitario de Salud, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon, Nuevo León 66455, Mexico)

  • María Natividad Ávila-Ortiz

    (Facultad de Salud Pública y Nutrición, Universidad Autonoma de Nuevo Leon., Nuevo León 66455, Mexico)

Abstract

Few studies have evaluated and contrasted the lifestyles and quality of life of university students by academic discipline. We compared university students’ lifestyle and quality of life, and schools’ compliance with health promotion guidelines. Then, needs were ranked and prioritized. This was a cross-sectional study carried out in a public university in Northeastern Mexico. Higher education students with no visual or hearing impairment from six different academic disciplines were included ( N = 5443). A self-administered and anonymous questionnaire was applied that included the HPLP (Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile) and SF-12 scales. A check list was employed for measuring 26 on-site schools’ compliance with health promotion guidelines, and needs were ranked using Z-scores. The mean lifestyle was 53.9 ± 14.8 and the mean quality of life was 69.7 ± 5. Men had healthier lifestyles with more exercise and better stress management. The mean compliance with health promotion guidelines was 58.7%. Agricultural Sciences students had the highest need for improving both lifestyle and quality of life. Arts, Education, and Humanities, Engineering and Technology, and Social and Administrative Sciences schools ranked first in need for health promotion actions. The methodology used allowed hierarchization of areas requiring planning and implementation of specific actions, and the results indicated that healthy lifestyles and quality of life should be a priority.

Suggested Citation

  • Georgina Mayela Núñez-Rocha & Cynthia Karyna López-Botello & Ana María Salinas-Martínez & Hiram V. Arroyo-Acevedo & Rebeca Thelma Martínez-Villarreal & María Natividad Ávila-Ortiz, 2020. "Lifestyle, Quality of Life, and Health Promotion Needs in Mexican University Students: Important Differences by Sex and Academic Discipline," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(21), pages 1-12, October.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:21:p:8024-:d:438013
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Verónica Varela-Mato & José M. Cancela & Carlos Ayan & Vicente Martín & Antonio Molina, 2012. "Lifestyle and Health among Spanish University Students: Differences by Gender and Academic Discipline," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(8), pages 1-14, August.
    2. Yanli Qiu & Mingkang Yao & Yiwei Guo & Xiaowei Zhang & Shuoyang Zhang & Yuting Zhang & Yixiang Huang & Lingling Zhang, 2019. "Health-Related Quality of Life of Medical Students in a Chinese University: A Cross-Sectional Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 16(24), pages 1-13, December.
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    2. Katarzyna Kotarska & Maria Alicja Nowak & Leonard Nowak & Paweł Król & Artur Sochacki & Katarzyna Sygit & Marian Sygit, 2021. "Physical Activity and Quality of Life of University Students, Their Parents, and Grandparents in Poland—Selected Determinants," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(8), pages 1-15, April.

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