Distribution of DEVS scores among students according to sociodemographic characteristics, dietary patterns, and BMI.

Distribution of DEVS scores among students according to sociodemographic characteristics, dietary patterns, and BMI.</p

Factors associated with adherence to a healthy lifestyle in university students.

Factors associated with adherence to a healthy lifestyle in university students.</p

Sociodemographic and other selected characteristics of university students according to dietary patterns.

Sociodemographic and other selected characteristics of university students according to dietary patterns.</p

Definitions of dietary patterns.

BackgroundEvidence shows that a healthy lifestyle can promote physical and mental well-being in the general population. However, there are few studies that assess the adherence to a healthy lifestyle in vegetarian and non-vegetarian university students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the differences in adherence to a healthy lifestyle between vegetarian and non-vegetarian university students in Peru.MethodsA cross-sectional study was carried out considering data from 6,846 students selected by non-probabilistic convenience sampling. The Diet and Healthy Lifestyle Scale (DEVS), the Peruvian validation of the Vegetarian Lifestyle Index (VLI), was used. In addition, sociodemographic and anthropometric data such as weight and height were collected. Body mass index (BMI) was also calculated.ResultsSemi-vegetarian and vegetarian students had a high healthy lifestyle score compared to non-vegetarians. In addition, vegetarian diets showed a significantly higher proportion among students with a lower BMI (normal and underweight). Students with excess body weight (overweight and obesity) were less likely to report healthy lifestyle. In the overall population analyzed, it was observed that the levels of health and lifestyle behaviors, such as daily exercise and sunlight exposure, were mostly moderate and low. Additionally, sweets intake was high, while healthy food consumption such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains was low.ConclusionThe current findings show that although vegetarians had better adherence to a healthy lifestyle, interventions in the university setting are needed to improve healthy lifestyle in university students.</div

Distribution of DEVS among Peruvian university students.

Note: Each color line shows the frequency of the lifestyle habit, as level of sunlight exposure, duration or consumption is represented as dark blue for "Low," light green for "Middle," and light blue for "High".</p

Sociodemographic factors associated with the vegetarian dietary pattern in the participants.

Sociodemographic factors associated with the vegetarian dietary pattern in the participants.</p