The choice of healthy lifestyle is one of the gearing factors of productivity. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), healthy lifestyle has positive influence on physical, mental and social welfare. Balanced diet, regular physical activity, sleeping habit and stress management are the primary aspects of healthy lifestyle. It includes the implementation of biological and social functions for better future of students influencing the economic and political situation. Student's healthy lifestyle is also significantly influenced by their multiple life challenges and responsibilities.
Healthy lifestyle choices have important features to improve health and to prevent diseases. It reduces the health risks in the future life of students. Maintaining a healthy lifestyle in adulthood is associated with a longer lifespan, improved cognitive function and mood, and reduced stress-related conditions. The transition to higher education at University is a critical moment for young adults to acquire unhealthy habits regarding physical activity (PA) and adherence to a healthy diet. Negative behaviors might be maintained in the years to come with a major risk of suffering from a Non-Communicable Disease. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) account for 74% of deaths worldwide. Several factors have been associated with NCDs, unhealthy eating habits, tobacco and alcohol consumption, and physical inactivity being the most extensively studied risk factors. Unhealthy diet and physical inactivity, often linked to lifestyle choices, are among the leading risk factors for non-communicable diseases. Chronic diseases are commonly caused by long-term unhealthy habits and behaviors.
Unhealthy habits in adolescence increase the risks of developing non-communicable diseases early in life. Young adults, particularly when transitioning into college, face difficulties in living independently, balancing academic requirements, managing finances, and caring for their health. University students face numerous challenges as they navigate the transition from adolescence to adulthood. During this critical phase, adopting and maintaining healthy behaviors becomes crucial for their overall well-being, academic success, and future quality of life. High-stress levels, lack of knowledge, skills, or motivation, and challenges in managing challenges can significantly impact their physical and mental health and academic performance. Understanding young adults’ attitudes and practices toward a healthy lifestyle can help recognize their needs and establish targeted health and well-being initiatives.
University students have been identified as a high-risk population for NCDs. This phase of life represents a transitional period during which students develop habits that can influence their health throughout adulthood. As they gain more independence from their parents, they assume greater control over their daily choices regarding food, sleep, health management, physical activity, and engagement in harmful habits like smoking or excessive drinking.
The university years are considered a time when students may be exposed to health-related problems. They encounter new experiences, increased independence, changes in social circles, academic responsibilities, and greater accessibility to alcohol or drugs. Studies have shown low percentages of health-promoting behaviors among university students. Nowadays, about 74% of all deaths worldwide are due to Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), including heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease. Currently, several studies have demonstrated that adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with lower risk of cardiovascular disease, metabolic syndrome and abdominal obesity, and that it is strictly correlated to physical activity (PA) engagement. The World Health Organization (WHO) aimed to improve international action on surveillance, prevention and control of NCDs according to the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development. Indeed, in 2019, it was necessary to extend the WHO Global action plan for the prevention and control of NCDs 2013–2020 in order to fight against them. A healthy lifestyle still represents the main strategy to counteract the four major risk factors shared by NCDs: tobacco smoking, physical inactivity, excessive alcohol use and unhealthy diets. Since the combination of two or more of these risk factors exacerbates the impact of a single one, the worldwide community needs to proceed with a “multiple health behavior change” approach that also takes into account social, economic and environmental factors. Some lifestyle choices can make a big difference when it comes to your mental and physical well-being and the quality of your life. Here are the top 10 tips for good health and longevity.
- Regular Body Movement
- Keep more whole foods (and less processed food) in your diet plan
- Quit smoking
- Proper sleeping habit
- Keep hydrated your body
- Prevention is better than curative approach
- Know your numbers such as BMI, blood pressure, cholesterol, fasting clood glucose
- Healthy management of stress
- Safe sexual attitude
Although interventions at each step of life are important to change unhealthy habits, it is fundamental to investment in young people’s health to protect educational programs regarding sustainable food choices made in childhood. High levels of stress and the appearance of academic burnout, together with resilience, improved with interventions based on physical activity, health coaching, and relaxing activities. Again, prevention is a fundamental part, and cognitive behavioral therapy models have been observed to prevent stress in college students; severe psychological distress is diminished when the effort–reward imbalance and overcommitment are controlled. The acquisition of detrimental habits during adolescence and youth often results in health problems in adulthood. In this context, transition to higher education in university is a critical moment. Physical activity improves stress and academic burnout; training programs decrease stress and improve life satisfaction. Multimodal programs focusing on relaxation, physical activity, and balneotherapy have shown short-term stress reduction. Coping mechanisms with work on resilience report positive results. During their University career, several students adopt unhealthy routines, reducing the time dedicated to physical activity and adherence to a balanced diet. Indeed, they skip breakfast, eat snacks for brevity and increase sugar, fat and sodium intake, together with a decrease in fruit and vegetable consumption.
Therefore, it can be concluded by indicating that it is necessary to establish healthy habits in the university period, reporting multiple benefits with improvements in stress, favoring its reduction and achieving levels of satisfaction in multiple spheres of life, highlighting the fundamental role of prevention and promotion, helping to create routines that anticipate the establishment of harmful habits and the maintenance of healthy habits in the future.