Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University Students
Physical and mental health show strong associations with health-related behavior. University students are one of the at-risk groups who are in a vulnerable transition phase from adolescence to adulthood, significantly affecting their health-related lifestyle. This study aims to identify different gr...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| author | Joca Zurc Matej Majerič |
| author_facet | Joca Zurc Matej Majerič |
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| description | Physical and mental health show strong associations with health-related behavior. University students are one of the at-risk groups who are in a vulnerable transition phase from adolescence to adulthood, significantly affecting their health-related lifestyle. This study aims to identify different groups of university students with homogeneous health-related behavior, considering their dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, mental well-being and lifestyle change motives. For data collection, an anonymous, closed-ended paper-and-pencil questionnaire was administered to a sample of 171 university students. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, a <i>t</i>-test for independent samples, a chi-square test, Spearman correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses (Ward’s method, Dendrogram). On average, students reported good health (M = 4.84), including daily physical activity (M = 31.35 min) and regular consumption of fruits (M = 4.02) and vegetables (M = 4.19). The hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two distinct patterns among the students: “Caring for a healthy lifestyle” (N = 69) and “Physically inactive with poor mental well-being” (N = 62). Better health-related behavior was found among male students enrolled in higher study years (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01). These findings provide new insights into the different patterns of health-related behavior among university students that require targeted health promotion actions. Universities should develop and implement courses in healthy lifestyles and sustain them in the curricula. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-e08032ceaccc44b2b68894dc8d61a78f |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2076-328X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Behavioral Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-e08032ceaccc44b2b68894dc8d61a78f2025-08-20T03:58:30ZengMDPI AGBehavioral Sciences2076-328X2025-07-0115791810.3390/bs15070918Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University StudentsJoca Zurc0Matej Majerič1Department of Pedagogy, Faculty of Arts, University of Maribor, 2000 Maribor, SloveniaFaculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, SloveniaPhysical and mental health show strong associations with health-related behavior. University students are one of the at-risk groups who are in a vulnerable transition phase from adolescence to adulthood, significantly affecting their health-related lifestyle. This study aims to identify different groups of university students with homogeneous health-related behavior, considering their dietary habits, physical activity, alcohol and tobacco consumption, mental well-being and lifestyle change motives. For data collection, an anonymous, closed-ended paper-and-pencil questionnaire was administered to a sample of 171 university students. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics, a <i>t</i>-test for independent samples, a chi-square test, Spearman correlation and hierarchical cluster analyses (Ward’s method, Dendrogram). On average, students reported good health (M = 4.84), including daily physical activity (M = 31.35 min) and regular consumption of fruits (M = 4.02) and vegetables (M = 4.19). The hierarchical cluster analysis revealed two distinct patterns among the students: “Caring for a healthy lifestyle” (N = 69) and “Physically inactive with poor mental well-being” (N = 62). Better health-related behavior was found among male students enrolled in higher study years (<i>p</i> ≤ 0.01). These findings provide new insights into the different patterns of health-related behavior among university students that require targeted health promotion actions. Universities should develop and implement courses in healthy lifestyles and sustain them in the curricula.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/918higher educationstudent healthhealthy lifestylewell-beingcluster analysis |
| spellingShingle | Joca Zurc Matej Majerič Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University Students Behavioral Sciences higher education student health healthy lifestyle well-being cluster analysis |
| title | Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University Students |
| title_full | Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University Students |
| title_fullStr | Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University Students |
| title_full_unstemmed | Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University Students |
| title_short | Typology of Health-Related Behavior: Hierarchical Cluster Analysis Among University Students |
| title_sort | typology of health related behavior hierarchical cluster analysis among university students |
| topic | higher education student health healthy lifestyle well-being cluster analysis |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-328X/15/7/918 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT jocazurc typologyofhealthrelatedbehaviorhierarchicalclusteranalysisamonguniversitystudents AT matejmajeric typologyofhealthrelatedbehaviorhierarchicalclusteranalysisamonguniversitystudents |