The lifestyle behavior of students at university is very important, because it is a transitional phase from adolescence to young adulthood, and students experience many changes in life that affect all dimensions of health, namely intellectual, emotional, and social. This can affect lifestyle choices which in turn affect health. Many health behaviors, including tobacco and alcohol consumption, lack of sleep and diet, and physical activity, are positioned as major modifiable risk factors for the prevention of non-communicable diseases. However, although these risky behaviors have been widely reported as common behaviors among students in many regions and in many countries, studies that specifically report on the prevalence of health risks among ASEAN university students are still limited.
The article entitled “Prevalence of Health-Risk Behaviors and Mental Well-Being of ASEAN University Students in COVID-19 Pandemic” was written by a member author of the ASEAN University Network in the Health Promotion Network (AUN-HPN) to investigate the prevalence of health risks the main factors of student behavior, student mental well-being, and socio-demographic factors related to behavior and mental well-being among students in ASEAN. Data was collected in March–June 2021 through an online survey of 15,366 students from 17 universities in seven ASEAN countries. The data analyzed consisted of the results of physical activity, behavior related to health, mental well-being, and socio-demographic information. The results of this study provide important baseline data for guiding and monitoring health outcomes among ASEAN university students and conclude that a healthy diet, physical activity, and mental well-being should be the top priority health areas for promotion among students.
Author: Ira Nurmala, S.KM., M.PH., PhD
More information about this article can be found in the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (2022), Volume 19, 12 July 2022, 8528 which can be accessed at the following link:
