Assessment of health‐related behaviors among medical students: A cross‐sectional study

Abstract

Abstract Background and Aim Students sometimes participate in harmful activities that adversely influence their behaviors and well‐being throughout college, which is one of the sensitive phases in an individual's life. Aim: To assess the health‐related behaviors of university students. Methods A cross‐sectional study that includes systematic randomly selected 383 students from various colleges of Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University (RAKMHSU), Ras Al Khaimah Emirate, United Arab Emirates. A self‐reported questionnaire included students' demographic traits and behaviors, including safety, medication intake, cigarette smoking, nutrition, physical activity, and health‐related topics. Results Most participants were females (69.7%), 13.3% were obese while 28.2% were overweight. The data revealed a significant difference between male and female students regarding medication intake without prescription, nutrition, physical activity, and health‐related topics. The data also revealed that the majority of the students were attempting to lose weight, and the former male smokers had fewer trials to quit the use of all tobacco products than females. Conclusion More than a quarter of participants were overweight, and the majority of students did not adhere to the guidelines for safety and nutritious eating. This study recognized significant health promotion opportunities for university students that can be carried out to establish a healthier youth for society.

Keywords

• health‐related behaviors
• medical students
• nutrition
• physical activity
• survey
• tobacco