Education for Sustainable Development: Lifestyle Behaviors of Applied Science Private University Students and Correlate them with Academic Achievement

Background: High academic achievement is an important indicator of future success, which is affected by lifestyle behaviors. A healthy lifestyle is associated with higher cumulative averages among college students. Objectives of the current study: To explore the dietary habits of university students, the effect of sleep and physical activity, and the associations with students' academic achievement. Method: An electronic survey was used to conduct a cross-sectional study of applied science university students. We studied the effect of the family's income level and parents' educational attainment and evaluated students' diet, sleep, and physical activity on their academic achievement. Result: A total of 164 students were female 59.8% and male 40.2%. Respondents were affiliated with the divisions of humanities faculties (58/164, 35.4%) and scientific faculties (106/164, 64.6%). The percentage of students over 20 years old was 57.3%. 34.1% of the total sample had a cumulative average of 68-75.9, and 30.5% had a cumulative average of greater than or equal to 84. 47.6% of students had a family income between 500-1000. Males favor consuming 6-8 glasses of water daily, eating three times fast food weekly, consuming energy drinks, sleeping in the dark, sticking to one type of sport, and meeting new friends in the gym. Females fight stress by eating, taking a daily nap, and taking vitamins and nutritional supplements. Students whose cumulative averages are greater than 84 drink caffeinated beverages. Students whose cumulative averages are from 68 – 75.9 intake energy drinks daily. Conclusion: Findings indicate that a healthy lifestyle is associated with a quality of life and higher cumulative averages among college students. Students followed quality dietary habits, good sleep quality, and physical behaviors and activity.