Health Promoting Lifestyle and Its Associated Factors Among Undergraduate Students in Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

Abstract

Abstract: Health promoting life style is the main strategy to improve health status of an individual .The objective of this study was to assess the health promoting lifestyle and its determinants among undergraduate students . A descriptive cross -sectional study was conducted among 380 students in Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Peradeniya .Health-promoting lifestyle was measured using Walker's health-promoting lifestyle profile II( HPLP II.) Weight and height of the students were measured using electronic weight scale and stadiometer .Data was analyzed using SPSS version 25 and 0.05 p value was considered as the level of significance .Out of 380 students 70.5 %were females and 29.5 %were males .The total mean score of HPLP II was 120.69±16 .51 . Spiritual growth had the highest score (24.16±5.18 )in subscales and the lowest was physical activity (14.39±4.02 .)Mean BMI of the students was 21.28±3 .47 .Religion (p=0.024), course of study( P=0.008 )and involvement in leisure activities( p=<0.001 ) were significantly associated with the HPLP II total score .Majority (92.4 )%of them stated that they have barriers towards implementing health promoting lifestyle at the university and the lack of time was the most common barrier .Health promoting lifestyle of the students was at moderate level and the identified barriers should be addressed to improve the healthy life styles among this student population