Characterising the activity, lifestyle behaviours and health outcomes of UK university students: an observational cohort study with a focus on gender and ethnicity

Abstract

Background: Health-related outcomes and behaviours in university students are known to be poor relative to the general population. The substantial contextual shifts related to the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with increased numbers of students from minoritised ethnicity backgrounds and presenting as trans and gender diverse (TGD), means that up-to-date information is unavailable. The primary aim of this study was therefore to characterise the current movement, dietary and lifestyle behaviours, mental health, and Body Mass Index (BMI) of UK university students and assess differences between genders and ethnic groups.

Methods: An online, self-report survey was administered across three years (2021-2023). Three independent cohorts of university students' (n = 6,327) completed the survey on four key topic areas. One-way ANOVAs were used to assess differences between genders (men, women, TGD), and independent samples t-tests were used to assess differences between ethnic groups (White, Minoritised Ethnicity).

Results: 30% of students were not meeting physical activity guidelines, 54% were sedentary for ≥ 6 h·d^{- 1}, 83% had poor diet quality, 51% were in high or increased risk groups for alcohol consumption, 18% experienced terrible or poor sleep quality, and 32% were overweight or obese. Gender differences were present for all variables other than walking physical activity (WPA) (P < 0.05), with men having better mental health and engaging in healthier movement and sleeping behaviours, whereas women had more healthful dietary and drinking behaviours, and TGD students had poorer outcomes compared to cis-gender students in most domains. Differences between White and minoritised ethnicity students were present for all variables other than sedentary behaviour, diet quality, WPA and BMI (P < 0.05); students of minoritised ethnicity engaged in better movement, drinking and sleep behaviours in addition to having more positive mental health than White students.

Conclusion: The findings of the current study provide an update on the landscape of UK university students' health and health-related behaviours. Overall, health-related outcomes and behaviours are poor in this population and these data suggest that gender and ethnicity play a role in determining students' health and health-related behaviours. Therefore, these factors should be considered when developing strategies to promote healthy living in the context of higher education.

Keywords: Behaviour; Ethnicity; Gender diversity; Health; Lifestyle; Student.

Fig. 1

Recruitment data for participation in the survey (2021–2023). Examples of extraneous data include data that was removed due to entering an incorrect identification code, and data that was outside of the limits considered to be possible within the survey scale (i.e., PA values ≥ 16 h in accordance with the IPAQ scoring guidelines) [40]

Fig. 2

Displays the differences between genders for the reported variables ^aaa indicates P < 0.001 compared to women. ^aa indicates P < 0.01 compared to TGD students. ^bb indicates P < 0.01 compared to TGD students. ^b indicates P < 0.05 compared to women. ^ccc indicates P < 0.001 compared to women. ^ddd indicates P < 0.001 compared to women. ^dd indicates P < 0.01 compared to TGD students. ^f indicates P < 0.05 compared to TGD students. ^ggg indicates P < 0.001 compared to women. ^g indicates P < 0.05 compared to TGD students. ^hhh indicates P < 0.001 compared to women & TGD students. ^hhh* indicates P < 0.001 compared to TGD students. ⁱⁱⁱ indicates P < 0.001 compared to women & TGD students. ^jjj indicates P < 0.001 compared to women & TGD students. ^jjj* indicates P < 0.001 compared to TGD students. ^kkk indicates P < 0.001 compared to women

Fig. 3

Displays the differences between ethnic groups for the reported variables. *** indicates P < 0.001; ** indicates P < 0.01; * indicates P < 0.05 compared to White students