The association between academic performance indicators and lifestyle behaviors among Kuwaiti college students

Abstract Background Lifestyle behaviors are developed during young adulthood and carried through life. Accordingly, early detection of unhealthy behaviors can help prevent the increase in non-communicable diseases in the population. College students are an especially vulnerable group who, upon enter...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Ahmad R. Al-Haifi, Balqees A. Al-Awadhi, Nayef Y. Bumaryoum, Fahhad A. Alajmi, Rasha H. Ashkanani, Hazzaa M. Al-Hazzaa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2023-04-01
Series:Journal of Health, Population and Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s41043-023-00370-w
Description
Summary:Abstract Background Lifestyle behaviors are developed during young adulthood and carried through life. Accordingly, early detection of unhealthy behaviors can help prevent the increase in non-communicable diseases in the population. College students are an especially vulnerable group who, upon entering a new environment, tend to engage in unhealthy behaviors. Objective The present study aims to evaluate the lifestyle behaviors of Kuwaiti college students and their association with markers of academic achievements. Methods One thousand two hundred fifty-nine students participated in the present study and answered an online questionnaire pertaining to their sociodemographic status, academic performance indicators, body weight and height, and lifestyle behaviors. Data were collected from November 2020 to February 2021. Results Results of the present study showed that obesity was significantly more prevalent among male participants than among females even though males were more physically active. Alternatively, females had a greater grade point average in college, slept more, and had more screen time. Interestingly, we were unable to detect a significant correlation between lifestyle behaviors and academic achievements. Conclusion The observed differences in body mass index between genders may have been attributed to energy intake rather than energy expenditure.
ISSN:2072-1315