The health of a society is conditioned by healthy lifestyle choices. A significant role in shaping health-related behaviour is played by university students, who should be leaders in the scope of health in the future. Our aim was to determine the intensity of physical activities and their relation with the intensity of health-related behaviours of university students of selected majors. Our research covered 372 students of physical education (292) and social sciences (108) from Poznań and Szczecin. We applied Minnesota Leisure Time Physical Activity Questionnaire (MLTPAQ) and Health Behaviour Inventory (HBI). The relations between the level of physical activity (PA) and the health behaviour of the students were determined by intra-group correlations (r). The
value of p<0.05 was adopted as statistically significant. Physical education (PE) and public health (PH) students showed higher levels of PA and health behaviour as compared to the students of social sciences (SS). The total activity metabolic index (AMI) indicated a lower level of PA among women, regardless of major. PA [4; 6) MET of
tourism and recreation (T&R) students was highly and positively correlated with preventive behaviours (PB) (r=0.69). PA <4 MET of female T&R students and male PE students positively correlated with correct eating habits (CEH). We found negative correlations between PA ≥6 MET of female PE students and male PH students
[4-6) and ≥6 MET and health practices (HP), as well as PA [4-6 MET) of male PE students and positive mental attitude (PMA). Positive and negative correlations between free-time physical activity and health-related behaviours indicate the need for regular physical and health education of students. Physical activity, correct eating habits and preventive behaviour of students will increase their chances of promoting a healthy lifestyle in
society.
The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly impacted daily activities worldwide. University students may have experienced substantial changes in daily living as a result of restrictions on university attendance. The return to normalcy may take a long time, and understanding the influence that shifts in daily routines have had on the lifestyles of university students may inform approaches to support overall well-being. We analyzed changes in the lifestyles of students enrolled at a health sciences university during the COVID-19 pandemic. This longitudinal study took place at the Faculty of Medicine and Nursing in the University of the Basque Country in Spain, and the final sample consisted of 113 nursing students, 109 medical students, and 45 physiotherapy students. Our results demonstrate changes in lifestyles of university students during the pandemic. MedDiet adherence scores and the percentage of students with high adherence increased during the pandemic. This increase was due to the increased consumption of vegetables and nuts. In terms of physical activity, the practice of moderate and intense physical activity was maintained. These results provide important information for both public health authorities and educational institutions to guide strategies to maintain the well-being of students and enhance opportunities for young adults to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Key Points
Most headaches in children, in the absence of neurologic or systemic findings, require only symptomatic relief with ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Neuroimaging is indicated only with abnormal neurologic features, systemic symptoms, an abrupt change in pattern, or with chronic daily headaches. With recurrent headaches the 1st step in management is promoting healthy lifestyle habits—nutrition, sleep, exercise, hydration, etc. With migraine, DON’T WAIT—medication works best the earlier it is given. Ibuprofen is the initial treatment of choice. If needed, triptans are safe and can be effective.
A theory-based online health behaviour intervention for new university students (U@Uni): results from a randomised controlled trial