Latent class analysis of lifestyle behavior among Chilean university students

The aim of this study was to describe the lifestyles of undergraduate students, examine patterns and identify predictor variables and specific subpopulations at risk. The participants were 1,879 students from a Chilean university who answered an online survey. Overall results indicated that the participants' dietary patterns were unhealthy with some gender-based differences. Only 23.7% of the sample exercised regularly, 30% exhibited problematic alcohol consumption and 90.5% claimed responsible sexual behavior. The latent class analysis identified four homogenous lifestyle classes. There is only one group that represents the 17.20% of the sample, which met the majority of the healthy behavior criteria. One group was characterized as highly risky, their members exhibited poor diet; lack of exercise; and higher prevalence of smoking, drug use and problematic alcohol consumption. Students who lived with families and engaged in religious and sporting activities had a greater likelihood of belonging to the groups with healthier lifestyles. Being male, between the ages of 22 and 24 with a higher level of social self-concept were more likely to belong to the group that exhibit high-risk lifestyle behavior. These findings reinforce the need to address health promotion in a meaningful manner and may help in the identification of high-risk students.