Influence of Dietary Habits and Lifestyle Practices on the Health and Well-Being of University Students: A Survey Investigation.

Background: Modern lifestyle trends, characterized by sedentary behaviours and poor dietary choices, have a negative impact on the physical and mental health of university students at graduation and post-graduation levels. This study aims to investigate the influence of outdoor activities, dietary habits, psychological wellbeing, physical activities, sleep patterns, and bad habits on the lifestyle of university students in India, with a focus on identifying significant differences in these habits among students and exploring the potential benefits of yoga and naturopathy in improving their overall health.

Methods: An online, survey study was conducted among 710 university students using a self-administered Google Form questionnaire. Responses were received from 600 students across 18 Indian universities. After excluding 94 participants, 506 responses were evaluated for the study.

Results: Limited participation in outdoor activities was observed, and students showed a lack of interest in physical activities such as yoga and exercise. Dietary habits showed moderate improvement due to growing awareness of healthy diets, although stress led some to overeat. High stress levels negatively impacted psychological health. Sleep patterns were disturbed, likely due to high screen time. Low involvement in alcohol consumption and smoking was reported.

Conclusion: Students are aware of the harmful impact of poor dietary habits, alcohol consumption, and smoking on physical health. However, many are excessively worried about maintaining their physical fitness, leading some to overeat under stress. Additionally, students show less interest in practicing yoga and exercise, and high screen time and unbalanced sleep patterns are prevalent. Therefore, incorporating yoga and naturopathy into one's lifestyle can improve physical and mental health by mitigating stress and promoting overall well-being.