How Healthy Are Our Students Really? Lifestyle-Related Health Risk Behaviour Patterns in Student Athletes and Nonathlete Students.

Abstract

Introduction: Students engage in one or more lifestyle-related risk behaviours that may predispose them to noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). Whilst student athletes (St-A) are often perceived as having healthier lifestyles compared to nonathlete students (NAS), it is unclear whether they exhibit better risk profiles. This study compares the prevalence and clustering of these lifestyle-related risk behaviours among NAS and St-A at a South African university. Methods: This cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence of alcohol consumption, cigarette smoking, inadequate fruit and vegetable intake and physical inactivity using a screening questionnaire. Differences between gender and athletic status were analysed using chi-square tests. Cluster analysis was employed to identify patterns of co-occurring risk behaviours within the combined cohort. Results: One hundred and forty-five St-A (n = 91 male, n = 54 female) and 143 NAS (n = 90 male, n = 53 female) were included. Similar alcohol use patterns were observed between St-A and NAS (p=0.737), but females consumed less alcohol than men (p=0.025). Smoking was less prevalent among St-A (18.6% vs. 32.2% NAS, p=0.020). Less than 10% of participants met fruit and vegetable intake recommendations, with females consuming more than males (p=0.002). St-A met the moderate activity guidelines more often (73.0% vs. 44.3%, p < 0.001) and the vigorous physical activity guidelines more often (71.5% vs. 37.1%, p < 0.001) than NAS. The cluster analysis identified a higher risk group (34.6% St-A) with multiple risk behaviours, and a healthier group (all meeting vigorous activity goals and none smoking). Conclusions: Both St-A and NAS engage in lifestyle-related risk behaviours. Further investigation into the interconnections of these behaviours and the implementation of university-based interventions is warranted.