AUTHOR=Schwab Lisa , Reichel Jennifer L. , Werner Antonia M. , Schäfer Markus , Heller Sebastian , Edelmann Dennis , Beutel Manfred E. , Letzel Stephan , Dietz Pavel , Simon Perikles , Kalo Kristin 

TITLE=Convenience behavior in German university students is associated with sociodemographic, study- and health-related factors

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2024

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2024.1404598

DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2024.1404598

ISSN=2296-2565

ABSTRACT=<sec id="sec1"><title>Background</title><p>The transition from school to university is often accompanied by a change in students’ lifestyles. So far little is known whether convenience behavior is an essential factor affecting students’ health and social interaction. In a heterogeneous population regard to sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics the Convenience Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ) showed a better relationship between convenience-related behavior with overweight and obesity than established questionnaires. Here we assessed convenience behavior in a large well characterized cohort of university students and its association with health-related (mainly sedentary behavior and physical activity), study-related and sociodemographic factors with the Convenience Behavior Questionnaire (CBQ).</p></sec><sec id="sec2"><title>Methods</title><p>A total of 4,351 students participated in an online survey, of which 3,983 (23.6 ± 5.3 years old, 71.3% females) answered the questions concerning convenience behavior. A low value in the CBQ indicates more convenience behavior [Convenience Behavior Index (CBI) range: 3–15]. Differences with regard to sociodemographic (age, gender, body mass index), study-related (semester, degree, field of study) and health-related (physical activity, sedentary behavior) variables were examined with Mann–Whitney-U test or Kruskal–Wallis test and post-hoc tests (Bonferroni).</p></sec><sec id="sec3"><title>Results</title><p>The CBI of men and women differed significantly (<italic>z</italic> = −6.847, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001, <italic>r</italic> = 0.11). First-year students and students beyond their first year showed significant differences (<italic>z</italic> = −2.355, <italic>p</italic> ≤ 0.05, <italic>r</italic> = 0.04). Differences were also found in the field of study (Chi2 (6) = 147.830, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) and the targeted degree (Chi2 (7) = 79.985, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). Furthermore, differences were found in the body mass index (Chi2 (5) = 70.678, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001), physical activity (Chi2 (2) = 279.040, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001) and sedentary behavior (<italic>z</italic> = −4.660, <italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001, <italic>r</italic> = 0.07).</p></sec><sec id="sec4"><title>Conclusion</title><p>The results showed risk groups of convenience behavior among students [men, first-year, students enrolled in “Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM),” bachelor]. Our results confirm for the first time in a very homogeneous population a gender difference and an association between CBI and health-related factors. Further studies are needed to analyze the health behavior of students in more detail, especially their convenience behavior.</p></sec>