Health-Related Habits of Students at the Academic College at Wingate

This survey was conducted on a population of students studying for a Bachelor’s degree in physical education. The aim of the current survey was to assess the health knowledge and health-related habits of students during the first year of implementation of a health promotion program, as part of the college becoming a “health-promoting college”. A total of 281 students (n=145 males and 136 females) from the 3rd and 4th year at the college (n=191 and n=90, respectively) filled out a self-administered online questionnaire, where they reported about their health habits and attitudes towards smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity levels, sedentary behavior, and the quality of their diet. A total of 64.7% of the students implemented the recommended amount of physical activity of 150 minutes per week, however 43.7% felt that they don’t perform enough and would like to increase the weekly amount. 80% and 87% of the students usually or always track their total energy intake and overall added sugar consumption, respectively. Smoking prevalence was lower among the students (16%) in comparison to the general public (25.2%). During the academic year the gym was enlarged and renewed; 86.4% of the students noted this in the questionnaire, however only 21% reported training there on a weekly basis. 58.7% of the students think that the accessible places provided at the college for storing and heating their food (refrigerator and microwaves) had a positive effect on their general eating habits and enabled them to consume more homemade food. Further, 59.4% of the students think they would benefit from scheduled physical activity and movement breaks during classes, in order to increase awareness and concentration. This survey, conducted in a physical education college, enabled us to assess the possible impact and changes that may occur in a health-promoting college. Future research will enable assessing additional possible changes as well as planning future programs to improve the students’ health.