[Association between the consumption of tobacco and alcohol and physical exercise while at university].
OBJECTIVE
To find out the influence that going to University has on changing smoking and alcohol habits, and on physical exercise in students in the EU.


METHODS
Cross-sectional descriptive study.


METHODS
University of Murcia.


METHODS
A sample of 1179 students was selected.


METHODS
A self-filled and anonymous questionnaire was used. It consisted of 36 questions using 4 measurement scales: level of health information on cardiovascular risks (CVR), smoking, alcohol consumption and doing physical exercise.


RESULTS
A total of 39.2% of university students in their last academic year said they were smokers, compared to 36.4% in the first year (NS). A total of 81.6% of first year students had consumed alcohol at weekends, compared to 81.1% of those in their last year (NS). In the overall assessment of alcohol consumption, 13% "stopped drinking or drank less: and 10% "drank more", although the majority (55%), did not change their drinking habits. As regards physical exercise, the number of students who did more physical exercise was 21.2% in the first academic year, compared to 20% of students in their last year (NS).


CONCLUSIONS
Going to University does not seem to exercise a positive influence on the habits and lifestyles of young people. Measures should be taken to encourage healthy lifestyles in Universities.
Pastor
Antonio Martínez
AM
Cátedra de Riesgo Cardiovascular, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, España.
Galindo
Serafín Balanza
SB
Hernández
Mariano Leal
ML
Navarro
Ana Martínez
AM
Bernal
Catalina Conesa
CC
Alemán
José Abellán
JA
D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise; D006801:Humans; D012907:Smoking / Q000453:epidemiology*; D013334:Students; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014495:Universities