Sustainable Nutrition Behaviors and Physical Activity Attitudes Among College Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

This study aimed to examine sustainable nutrition behaviors and attitudes toward physical activity among college students.

A cross-sectional study.

College setting.

The study included 303 college students (171 female, 132 male).

Sustainable nutrition behaviors were assessed using the Behaviors Scale Towards Sustainable Nutrition, whereas beliefs and attitudes related to physical activity were measured using the Exercise Health Belief Model Scale. Anthropometric measurements, including body weight and waist circumference, were obtained by researchers.

Pearson and Spearman correlation analyses, as appropriate, and multiple linear regression analyses were conducted.

Sustainable nutrition behavior scale total scores were positively correlated with exercise Health Belief Model scores (r = 0.444, P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with body mass index (r = -0.142, P = 0.01) and waist circumference (r = -0.169, P = 0.003). After adjusting for sex, academic level, and income level, sustainable nutrition behaviors remained significantly associated with attitudes toward physical activity (β = 0.400, P < 0.001), explaining 22.6% of the variance (R² = 0.226).

Students with more positive attitudes toward physical activity are more likely to engage in sustainable nutrition behaviors. Integrated health promotion strategies addressing both physical activity and sustainable nutrition may support healthier and more sustainable lifestyles among college students.