[Impact of university students lifestyle in the promotion of public health policies. The case of nudges.]

Abstract

Objective: In the last decade, public policy makers are applying new tools to promote healthy habits, starting from the behavioral economics sciences and social psychology. These tools are known as nudges, and before being applied, the degree of acceptance that the population presents about them must be analyzed. The objective of this study was to determine if there is a relationship between the lifestyle of the university population and the degree of acceptance of tools for the promotion of public health policies.

Methods: Cross-sectional correlational study of a representative sample of 590 university students (95% CI, α=5%) from Spanish universities using an online questionnaire. Bivariate and multivariate analyzes were performed applying Chi-squared test and Student t-test for independent samples.

Results: Young university students have an inadequate diet, with a deficient consumption of fruit and vegetables (only 27.8% consume them several times a day, the recommended daily amount being 5 pieces) and a high consumption of junk food, alcohol (68.81% and 63.39%, respectively, consumed between 1 and 2 times a week) and meat (consumed 3 to 4 times a week by 46.61%). By correlating the socio-demographic variables with food, significant results were found. The group of men, the youngest students, who are more supportive of the political right, and the religious practitioners, are the ones with the worst habits. In addition, those with older, more affiliated with the political left, less religious practice and better eating habits, they performed more responsible habits. There was a positive correlation between approval of nudges and responsible habits and less meat consumption (p<0,001), being significant in the nudges on food.

Conclusions: The acceptance of public policies on health is related to healthy eating and to the most socially committed behaviors. In addition, these factors are more frequent among women, the older group, who show more support for the political left and have fewer religious beliefs.