Lifestyle practices associated with anthropometric status among students at the University of Venda

Abstract

Lifestyle is how human beings choose to live their daily live. University is a critical period for young adults since they are responsible for their daily eating’s. Unhealthy nutritional practices, insufficient physical activity, tobacco use and alcohol intake have been linked with an increase in the prevalence of underweight, obesity and overweight. The purpose of the study was to describe lifestyle practices associated with anthropometric status among students at the University of Venda. A quantitative approach using cross-sectional design was adopted. A total sample of 363 participants was used in the study. Data was collected using self-reported questionnaire and anthropometric measurement were taken. Data was analysed and correlation tests were done using statistical package for social sciences version 25.0 and presented in table forms and figures. The findings show that 57.3% of the participants were females and 42.4% were males. More than half of the participants (52.9%) eat meals, three times daily. They frequently snack fruits (27.5%) and potato chips (19.3%). The findings revelaled low intake of fruits and vegetables with 36.6% weekly. About 70% consumed fast food weekly. The findings also revealed that 30% of the participants had outstanding nutritional knowledge. The findings revealed that only 38.8 % of the participants engage in physical activities. Most played activities were soccer, aerobics and athletics. Majority of the participants (85%) had outstanding physical activity knowledge. About (44.4%) of the participants practiced good lifestyle habits. There was low intake of alcohol and tobacco. The findings revealed that 21.8% of the participants were overweight and 7.5 % were obese. Most university students had poor eating habits, although majority of the students had outstanding nutritional knowledge. Students did not engage in physical activities, while they had outstanding physical activity knowledge. There has been a decrease in the prevelance of underweight and increase in prevelance of obesity. There was a positive association on frequency of meals per day and waist-hip circumference (P-value =0.042*). In addition, associations were observed between consumption of soft drinks (0.048*), consumption of processed (0.023*), eating outside home (0.021*) and waist-hip circumference. The results indicate that adequate sleep and body mass index are statistically significantly (P-value= 0.029*). Moreover, associations were observed between adequate sleep and waist-hip circumference(P-value= 0.002*).