Healthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among First-Year College Students Attending a University in Mississippi

Introduction: The promotion of healthy lifestyle behaviors among college students is a significant interest for public health, especially in Mississippi where 1 in 4 individuals have inadequate access to food supply. A study at a major Mississippi university found that 45% of their students reported food insecurity. More recently, research has highlighted a higher risk of unhealthy lifestyle habits among college students in the Southeastern US. Methods: This study utilized a descriptive quantitative study design to survey first-year college students (n = 196) enrolled at a University in Southern Mississippi. The relationship between lifestyle and health among first-year college students was measured using the Fantastic Lifestyle Checklist. Data were analyzed utilizing bivariate analysis to determine significant correlations. Results: Only 19% of the students reported eating a balanced diet regularly, while 54% reported being active less than twice a week. Although 91% of the students perceived themselves as having an overall healthy lifestyle, 79% reported feelings of sadness or depression. The Fantastic Lifestyle Checklist correlated significantly (P < .05) with gender out of all demographic variables. Conclusions: Interventions promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors should be encouraged among first-year college students who are vulnerable to contributing factors that can increase health risks. Interventions such as evaluation of risks, health promotion resources, and health promotion behavior awareness should be brought to bear in an effort to improve healthy lifestyle habits among students.