Where Do the Healthiest College Students Reside?

A study of college students from the US and the UK has revealed that students from the US tend to follow healthier lifestyles. American University Professor Stacey Snelling and her colleagues examined data from a sample of self-reported health behaviors of university students in the U.S. and the U.K. Survey respondents were 23 or younger and mostly women. Results showed that more than twice as many college students in the UK were smokers – 39% compared with 16% in the US. The researchers suggest that the growing trend of smoke-free campuses in the US is likely to have contributed to the disparity in smoking rates. In terms of diet, the US took the lead again with students eating 3.5 servings of fruit or vegetables each day, compared with just 1.5 servings in the UK. The researchers suggest that US students tend to eat a healthier diet because residence hall policies encourage nutritionally balanced meals, healthy eating and meal plans. Whereas students in the UK are more likely to prepare their own food, thus making eating healthy less convenient or more costly. Both groups of students reported undertaking a breast self-exam at the same rate, although preventive care appointments, such as gynecological and dental, were greater for US students. “Among US students, we see greater consumption of fruits and vegetables, more participation in organized sports, and less smoking, Participation in organized sports and exercise could reflect the more formal focus on physical activity at the college level that we have in the US. The study shows that certain policies and laws in the US are making an impact, particularly with regard to smoke-free campuses,” said Professor Snelling. “US students in general reported better health, healthier lifestyles and more access to preventive services. This could reflect a difference in how the two countries approach health care. Regardless, academic achievement and health are highly related and healthier individuals are better learners. Universities need to work to create a culture that supports intellectual growth and promotes health.”