Next Article in Journal
Vitamin D Status and Risk of Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes: A Retrospective Single Center Cohort Study
Previous Article in Journal
Sarcopenic Dysphagia: A Narrative Review from Diagnosis to Intervention
 
 
Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
Journals
Nutrients
Volume 13
Issue 11
10.3390/nu13114042
nutrients-logo
Submit to this Journal Review for this Journal Propose a Special Issue
► Article Menu

Article Menu

share Share announcement Help format_quote Cite question_answer Discuss in SciProfiles thumb_up
...
Endorse textsms
...
Comment
first_page
settings
Order Article Reprints
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Risky Behaviours of Spanish University Students: Association with Mediterranean Diet, Sexual Attitude and Chronotype

by
Pedro Manuel Rodríguez-Muñoz
1,2,*,
Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres
1,3,
Cristina Rivera-Picón
4,
Ignacio Morales-Cané
1,5,6,
Fabio Fabbian
7,
Roberto Manfredini
7,
María Aurora Rodríguez-Borrego
1,5,6 and
Pablo Jesús López-Soto
1,5,6
1
Department of Nursing, Instituto Maimónides de Investigación Biomédica de Córdoba, 14005 Córdoba, Spain
2
Department of Nursing and Physiotherapy, Universidad de Salamanca, 37007 Salamanca, Spain
3
Faculty of Physiotherapy and Nursing, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 45071 Toledo, Spain
4
Faculty of Health Sciences, Universidad Pontificia de Salamanca, 37002 Salamanca, Spain
5
Department of Nursing, Universidad de Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
6
Department of Nursing, Hospital Universitario Reina Sofía de Córdoba, 14004 Córdoba, Spain
7
Faculty of Medicine, Surgery and Prevention, University of Ferrara, 44121 Ferrara, Italy
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Nutrients 2021, 13(11), 4042; https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13114042
Submission received: 25 September 2021 / Revised: 5 November 2021 / Accepted: 9 November 2021 / Published: 12 November 2021
(This article belongs to the Section Nutrition and Public Health)
Versions Notes

Abstract

:
The most common drugs that are consumed by young people are alcohol and tobacco, which are especially prevalent in universities. These risk behaviours can be determined by a series of intrinsic and extrinsic factors. The aim of this study was to evaluate the consumption of alcohol and tobacco by Spanish university students and the relationship between the Mediterranean diet, sexual attitudes and opinions, and chronotype. A multicentre observational study enrolled 457 students from two public universities in Spain. The study period was from December 2017 to January 2018. The majority of the participants consumed alcohol (90.2%), tobacco consumption was low (27.2%), with a high percentage of students (78.6%) having a low dependence on nicotine. The surveyed students demonstrated a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet, which was shown to be associated with less risky alcohol consumption. The Mediterranean diet is a part of healthy lifestyle, and avoiding heavy drinking results in the intention to maintain such a lifestyle. In addition, unhealthy eating habits (skipping breakfast, eating sweets and pastries daily, and fast-food consumption) had a tendency to induce risky alcohol consumption. Therefore, to promote healthy lifestyle habits, it is considered important to establish programs that promote healthy diets in university settings and to evaluate them periodically.

1. Introduction

Drugs are psychoactive substances that affect perception, mood, awareness, and behaviour [1]. In 2019/2020, the most consumed drugs in Spain were alcohol (77%), followed by tobacco (39.4%) [2].
The initiation and increased consumption of these two substances occur above all in youth and frequently coincides with the university period [2]. The beginning of consumption occurs in response to society’s requirements and is influenced by factors such as not fitting in with one’s social group or not liking others, feeling more secure and confident, and being more sociable [3].
In respect to nutrition, university students are considered a vulnerable group [4]. During the university period, most students are living alone for the first time, meaning that they also become responsible for their own diet for the first time. They often cut down or skip meals, prefer to eat fast food, snack between meals, and consume alcohol regularly [4]. University students typically follow a diet that is high in fat and low in dietary fibre [4], with low consumption of fruits and vegetables, which is contrary to the principles of a Mediterranean diet (MD) [5]. The university stage is important for the development of eating habits and future health [4]. These habits are determined by an individual’s knowledge of nutrition and food—the more information someone has, the healthier their eating habits are. However, social, cultural, and economic factors as well as food preferences can influence diet [4,6]. In Spain, the majority of people follow a Mediterranean diet, which is a healthy diet [7]. Previous research has revealed that the low adherence of Spanish university students to a Mediterranean diet is related to high alcohol consumption [5,8], smoking, low levels of physical activity (PA), living alone, and leading a sedentary lifestyle [5], and good adherence to the Mediterranean diet is associated with an improved quality of life related to perceived health [9] and low body weight [5].
In the sexual sphere, alcohol consumption is associated with unsafe and undeclared sexual practices that are associated with condom use, giving rise to a higher risk of contracting sexually transmitted diseases or unwanted pregnancies [10]. Risky sexual practices in young people are a public health concern [11]. College students are more likely to engage in risky sexual behaviour and higher alcohol consumption than non-college youth [12,13].
Attitudes towards sexuality and sexual opinions can be measured by the erotophobia–erotophilia dimension, which dispositions that are followed to respond to sexual stimuli. Erotophobia is the response that indicates more negative attitudes to a sexual stimulus and feelings of avoidance, and erotophilia is a behaviour that contrasts with erotophobia, demonstrating a positive attitude towards a sexual stimulus and the desire to look for such a stimulus [14,15].
The majority of Spanish youth have their first sexual encounter between the ages of 16 and 20 years old [16]. Many young people use substances, specifically alcohol but also cannabis, cocaine, and ecstasy, for the effects that they can have to facilitate sex, from relaxation to disinhibition [17]. The abuse of these drugs is related to risky sex, which contributes to sexually transmitted diseases more than safe sex [18].
Drugs are used more in areas with active nightlife and during weekend contexts and are related to the possibility of starting a sexual encounter [19]. In addition, university students also have a more evening-centric personal circadian tendency (chronotype), which, in turn, is associated with risky behaviours [20].
For all of these reasons and given the relationship between tobacco and alcohol consumption, dietary habits, sexual opinions and risky sexual practices, our study aimed to evaluate the consumption of alcohol and tobacco by Spanish university students and the relationship between the Mediterranean diet, sexual attitudes and opinions, and chronotype.

2. Materials and Methods

2.1. Study Design and Participants

A multicentre observational descriptive study was conducted. The study subjects were university students from the Universities of Cordoba (UCO) and Castilla La Mancha (UCLM) in Spain. The study was designed to cover all students from both universities. Inclusion criteria: Students enrolled at the UCO and UCLM in Undergraduate, Master, and Doctorate studies.

2.2. Data Collection

The data were collected from 8 December 2017 to 31 January 2018. An online questionnaire was prepared using the Google Forms system (Google Inc., Mountain View, CA, USA), which is a free tool and uses a user-friendly web interface, that ensured the confidentiality of the users and included the Information Sheet and Informed Consent. The link to the questionnaire was sent to those responsible for the dissemination of the study by email.

2.3. Instruments

In the survey, the six questionnaires described below were used:
Sociodemographic data were collected in a self-prepared questionnaire that included questions pertaining to sex, age, university and university degree, place of residence, marital status, academic year, and variables related to the participants’ parents healthy and unhealthy habits.
For alcohol consumption, the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT) [21] (Spanish version [22]) was used. The AUDIT test is a questionnaire that is made up of 10 items, whose scores range from 0 to 40 points. Each item has five response options, with a score between 0 and 4, with the exception of items 9 and 10, which only have three possibilities with scores 0, 2, 4. The first three questions refer to alcohol risk consumption, questions 4 to 6 measure dependency symptoms, and the last four questions measure harmful alcohol consumption [23]. For university students [24], scores between 8 and 12 for men and 6 and 12 for women refer to risky consumption. Scores from 13 points for both sexes denote alcohol dependence. Binge drinking was measured with the third question from the AUDIT test. Responses were categorized as: never, less than once a month, and monthly or more (including monthly, weekly, and daily or almost daily) [11,25].
The Fagerstrom Nicotine Dependence Test was used to measure nicotine dependence [26] (Spanish version [27]). This questionnaire contains a scale comprising six items. This scale has cut-off points at 4 and 7. Less than 4 points denotes low dependence, a score between 4 and 7 denotes a moderate dependence, and a score of more than 7 denotes a high dependence.
The Richmond Test [28] was used to measure motivation to quit smoking (Spanish version [29]). It is a questionnaire that consists of four items assessing the degree of motivation to quit smoking. The test scores range from 0 to 10 points. The level of motivation and the cessation of tobacco use scores are null or low (from 0 to 3), doubtful (between 4 and 5), moderate and in need of help (from 6 to 7), and high (from 8 to 10).
The Mediterranean diet quality index for children and adolescents (KIDMED) [30] consists of 16 questions with answers comprising two options (yes/no). Twelve questions are related to aspects consistent with the Mediterranean diet, and four discuss to unrelated aspects. The scores range from 0 to 12 points. Scores of up to 3 points are considered as a low adherence to the Mediterranean diet; scores from 4 to 7 points denote a diet with medium adherence; and scores from 8 to 12 denote a high adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Scores are obtained as follows: if you answer affirmatively to questions related to diet, 1 point is added, if you answer affirmatively to questions that are related negatively to diet, 1 point is subtracted.
The Revised Sexual Opinion Survey (R-SOS) [14] was used to collect sexual opinions.
This scale is made of 20 questions with a likert response scale that ranges from 1 to 7. A score of 1 would denote totally disagree, and a score 7 would denote totally agree. This questionnaire measures the erotophobia–erotophilia dimension, which is defined as the willingness to respond to sexual stimuli and ranges from a negative point, erotophobia, to a positive point, erotophilia. A negative response to sexual stimuli would be erotophobia, and a positive response would be erotophilia.
For chronotype, we used the reduced scale of Horne and Östberg’s morningness–eveningness questionnaire (rMEQ) [31]. This scale is validated and was adapted to the Spanish student population [32]. The questionnaire consists of five items, with five answers for questions 1, 3, and 4, and questions 2 and 5, only have answer options. The score ranges from 4 to 25 points, with higher scores being associated with morningness, meaning that the respondent has morning preferences, and lower scores being eveningness, denoting that the respondent has an evening chronotype (E-type), with evening preferences.

2.4. Statistical Analysis

Data analysis was performed using the statistical program International Business Machines (IBM) Statistics Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 (IBM Corp, Armonk, NY, USA). Continuous variables were stablished through mean and standard deviation (SD). Percentages (%) were used for categorical variables. A comparison of the proportions of the categorical variables was also performed using the chi-square or Fisher’s tests for the contingency tables. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was also performed to analyse the differences between two or more means. Pearson’s correlation analysis was conducted to evaluate a possible linear correlation. Adjusted linear regression analyses were conducted when any significant association existed. In all statistical tests, testing was significant when p < 0.05.

2.5. Ethical Considerations

The study was admitted by public institutions associated with the study. Additionally, it received a positive report from the Ethics Committee.

3. Results

3.1. Participants Characteristics, Alcohol Consumption, Tobacco Consumption, and Sexual Opinion

In total, 464 students participated in the study, and 7 were excluded due to incomplete questionnaires. The final sample consisted of 457 students. Of the respondents, 33.3% were men, and 66.7% were women. The mean age was 20.93 ± 3.28. A total of 36.5% of the participants were UCO students, and 63.5% were UCLM students.
The majority of the participants (90.2%) consumed alcohol. The men showed a greater alcohol risk tendency than the women did (p = 0.027) (Table 1). Students whose parents consumed alcohol also had a greater tendency for risky alcohol consumption (p = 0.002). Although there was no statistical significance, students whose parents practiced physical activity were at a higher risk of alcohol consumption (p = 0.059).
A total of 51.4% of students consumed alcohol while engaging in binge drinking. About 34.1% binge drank less than once per month, and 17.3% of participants did so monthly or more frequently.
A total of 27.6% of the university students consumed tobacco. Among the students who consumed tobacco, 78.6% had a low dependence on nicotine, 19.8% had a medium dependence, and 1.6% a high dependence.
With respect to marital status, significant differences were observed (p < 0.01), with 83.1% of singles having low dependence, while only 14.3% of married people were in this category. Approximately 94.4% of students whose parents had a history of alcohol consumption had a low nicotine dependence (p < 0.01).
Half of university students (49.2%) were motivated to quit smoking, of which 15.9% had high motivation. Concerning the branch of studies, the students with the highest motivation to quit smoking were Health Sciences students (28%).
The mean score for the sexual opinions of the university students was 77.93 ± 19.92. Men showed a higher mean of erotophilia (82.66 ± 18.30) than women (75.46 ± 20.32), and the UCO students scored (78.11 ± 19.06) while those at UCLM had a score of (77.82 ± 20.46).
Students who used protection had a higher mean erotophilia score (78 ± 19.69) than those who did not (77.15 ± 22.66).

3.2. Correlation between Responses for Each Item of the KIDMED Score and AUDIT Score

Table 2 shows that the subjects who declared eating fruit or drinking fruit juice every day (r = −0.116, p < 0.05), liking pulses and eating fruit more than once a week (r = −0.100, p < 0.05), using olive oil at home (r = −0.163, p < 0.01), and eating two yogurts and/or some cheese (40 g) daily (r = −0.118, p < 0.05) had a lower tendency to drink heavily.
On the contrary, subjects who declared going to a fast-food restaurant more than once a week (r = 0.169, p < 0.01), skipping breakfast (r = 0.096, p ≤ 0.05), and eating sweets and candy several times every day (r = 0.115, p < 0.05) had a higher tendency to engage in risky alcohol consumption.

3.3. Motivation to Quit Smoking Is Associated with Less Tendency to Erotophilia, E-Type Chronotype, and Adherence to MD

Students with high values in motivation to quit smoking showed lower erotophilia tendencies and low chronotype values (E-type), being evening oriented. Although no significant differences were found, those who had high values in adherence to the Mediterranean diet tended to have greater motivation to quit smoking (Table 3).

3.4. Risky Alcohol Consumption Associated with Adherence to MD and Nicotine Dependence

Students with high scores in risk alcohol consumption showed less adherence to the Mediterranean diet (β= −0.439, p= 0.006) Those who were highly dependent on nicotine tended to engage in less risky alcohol consumption (Table 4).

4. Discussion

In this study, university students with a high adherence to the MD showed lower scores for risky alcohol consumption. The few studies that were found that associate the Mediterranean diet with risky alcohol consumption have not detected a relationship between both variables [33], although various authors have stated that a risky (unhealthy) pattern of alcohol consumption is accompanied with unhealthy eating habits in addition to less adherence to dietary guidelines [34,35,36]. Other studies identify alcohol consumption as a barrier to motivation among university students to eat a healthy diet [37].
On the other hand, the Mediterranean diet, although it is not part of an item in the questionnaire used in the study, includes moderate alcohol consumption, the beverages being beer and red wine [38].
In addition, the eating behaviours surrounding alcohol consumption in college students are influenced by friendships, socialization, availability, and cost, with this consumption of alcohol and food occurring in an environment with negative health behaviours [39].
The items related to the unhealthy aspects of the questionnaire determining adherence to the Mediterranean diet are correlated with a higher score in the AUDIT score, indicating higher risky alcohol consumption. According to other studies, having good breakfast habits [40] and having breakfast daily [41] are positively associated with lower consumption of alcohol and tobacco. “Taking sweets and candy several times every day” and its relationship with higher risk alcohol consumption has been shown in other studies [42,43]. Specifically, in Spain, coinciding with the confinement by COVID-19 pandemic, there was an increase in the purchase of alcoholic beverages along with sweets and pastries [42]. This is an example of a circumstance that demonstrates how the environment determines the type of behaviour. In the same line, fast food consumption is also correlated with higher risk alcohol consumption, as demonstrated by other studies in university students [43].
Although there is no statistical significance, students whose parents practice physical activity had a higher risk alcohol consumption. No studies have been found a link the parenting practicing PA with the consumption of alcohol, but there are studies that mention that PA offers benefits for the prevention, reduction, and treatment of alcohol and the consumption of other substances [44]. On the other hand, in a study of Austrian university students, it seems that between PA and alcohol consumption, there is no significant relationship to reduce this consumption tendency [45].
In terms of gender, studies show men engage in higher risk alcohol consumption and more alcohol consumption [46,47,48,49,50], suggesting that being a man is a risk factor for alcohol consumption [16,45,51]. Despite the differences in alcohol consumption by gender [52], consumption is increasing in women, with progressively less difference being present within men [53]. It is necessary to give some importance to equal consumption between men and women due to the gender differences in alcohol metabolism, with more harmful effects being found in women.
In turn, more than three quarters of the studied population, 78.6%, had a low dependence to nicotine. This low nicotine dependence may be due to starting to smoke at the university when the number of smokers increases, as other studies point out [13]. The data compel the proposal of health promotion interventions for university students in this area to achieve reductions in tobacco consumption, as students do not have high nicotine dependence.
Half of the study population was motivated to quit smoking, whether high, moderate or doubtful, and the other half had low or no motivation. These motivational data reinforce the proposal to implement interventions for university students related to the promotion of health materials related to consumption and/or addictions. The proposed activities could include protective factors against tobacco consumption and nicotine dependence in family settings. As other authors have indicated [54], purchase, sale, and consumption can be regulated in the university environment and surroundings, which can be reinforced with information on the health problems related to smoking [55].
No studies have been found that link nicotine dependence with risky alcohol consumption, but there are authors who link nicotine with an increase in alcohol-related behaviours [56], increasing the desire to consume alcohol [57].
Differentiating by the branch of study, Health Sciences students have the highest motivation to quit smoking (28%). These data may be due to the acquired knowledge about healthy habits. Others [55] point out that the main reasons to quit smoking are health aspects, ranking above personal relationships, financial resources, and environmental impact.
Another aspect to highlight in the present study is that it has been observed that smokers who are motivated to quit smoking have a lower tendency for erotophilia, the E-type chronotype, and adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Gibson et al. [58] reported how smoking affects the circadian rhythm, producing insomnia, which reduces the chances of quitting smoking. The authors also observed how smoking more cigarettes decreases the probability of having a morning chronotype. Other studies also corroborate these data, associating smoking with a later chronotype (E-type) [59]. In relation to adherence to a Mediterranean diet, several studies show that having good breakfast habits and eating breakfast daily is associated with lower tobacco consumption [40,41].
The mean score for sexual behaviour is 77.93, ranging between 0 to 120 (SD 19.927). Men showed the highest degree of erotophilia, as confirmed by other studies [60,61] although the difference in scores by gender was small [61].
Students who declare safe sex behaviours reported a tendency for erotophilia compared with those who practiced risky sex. Similar data were found in other studies [62], which associated erotophilia with greater accessibility to condom use. These data also connect erotophobia with the non-use of sexual protection, possibly due to not having such active sexual behaviour and the same access and availability to condoms as their counterparts with erotophilic behaviour [62,63].
This investigation has some limitations. Firstly, it is a cross-sectional study (coinciding with non-school period), so the present results could not determine the temporal direction of associations. Secondly, due to the non-response rate and the possible difficulty of completing the questionnaire, it is unknown whether our findings are representative of all Spanish university students. For future work, more direct physiological measures or use of diaries/journals should be considered to measure behaviour, and the social class of the students should be considered. Nonetheless, the results of the study conducted here were collected at two universities in two different areas of Spain and were consistent with the existing literature.

5. Conclusions

Although daily low or moderate wine consumption is part of the Mediterranean diet, higher alcohol consumption (risky alcohol use) is against its principles. In this study, the high adherence of Spanish university students to the Mediterranean diet was associated with less risky alcohol consumption. In addition, the unhealthy eating habits of the respondents (skipping breakfast, eating sweets and pastries daily, and fast-food consumption) were related to their higher risky alcohol consumption. The relationship of adherence to the Mediterranean diet and avoiding heavy drinking may result from the desire to lead a healthy lifestyle. Motivation to quit smoking is associated with a lower tendency for erotophilia and the eveningness chronotype. It can be seen how healthy lifestyle habits such as eating a healthy diet can promote lower alcohol consumption. These data become more important when produced in a university environment since the habits acquired at the university stage can determine later habits that, in turn, determine the future lifestyle of each person. For this reason, in order to promote healthy lifestyle habits, it would be important to conduct interventions and programs that promote healthy diets in university settings and to evaluate these programs periodically.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T., M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; methodology, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T., C.R.-P., I.M.-C., F.F., R.M., M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; software, P.M.R.-M. and J.M.C.-T.; formal analysis, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T. and P.J.L.-S.; investigation, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T., C.R.-P., F.F., R.M., M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; resources, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T., C.R.-P. and P.J.L.-S.; data curation, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T. and P.J.L.-S.; writing—original draft preparation, P.M.R.-M., M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; writing—review and editing, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T., C.R.-P., I.M.-C., F.F., R.M., M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; visualization, M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; supervision, J.M.C.-T., M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; project administration, P.M.R.-M., J.M.C.-T., M.A.R.-B. and P.J.L.-S.; funding acquisition, P.M.R.-M. and P.J.L.-S. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This research was funded by personal funds of the PAIDI CTS 666, University of Cordoba.

Institutional Review Board Statement

The study was conducted according to the guidelines of the Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Province of Córdoba (protocol code Act N. 269, ref. 3640 and date of approval: 17 October 2017).

Informed Consent Statement

Informed consent was obtained from all subjects involved in the study.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Patiño, N.M. Medical Pharmacology; Editorial Medica Panamericana: Madrid, Spain, 2010. [Google Scholar]
  2. Brime, B.; García, N.; León, L.; Llorens, M.; López, M.; Molina, M.; Tristán, C.; Sánchez, E. Observatorio Español de las Drogas y las Adicciones. Informe 2021. Alcohol, Tabaco y Drogas Ilegales en España; Delegación del Gobierno para el Plan Nacional sobre Drogas: Madrid, Spain, 2021. [Google Scholar]
  3. González-Iglesias, B.; Gómez-Fraguela, J.A.; Gras, M.E.; Planes, M. Búsqueda de sensaciones y consumo de alcohol: El papel mediador de la percepción de riesgos y beneficios. An. Psicol. 2014, 30, 1061–1068. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  4. Agüero, S.D.; Díaz, G.B.; Velásquez, K.F.; Zuñiga, M.d.R.B.; Vega, C.E.; Noel, M.d.P.R. Comparación en calidad de vida y estado nutricional entre alumnos de nutrición y dietética y de otras carreras universitarias de la Universidad Santo Tomás de Chile. Nutr. Hosp. 2012, 27, 739–746. [Google Scholar]
  5. Ramón-Arbués, E.; Granada-López, J.-M.; Martínez-Abadía, B.; Echániz-Serrano, E.; Antón-Solanas, I.; Jerue, B.A. Factors Related to Diet Quality: A Cross-Sectional Study of 1055 University Students. Nutrients 2021, 13, 3512. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  6. Pot, G.K. Sleep and dietary habits in the urban environment: The role of chrono-nutrition. Proc. Nutr. Soc. 2017, 77, 189–198. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  7. Rodríguez-Felices, Y.; Gallardo-Escudero, A.; Mata-Soto, C.; Fernández-García, M.; Alférez, M.J.M.; López-Aliaga, I.; del Pozo, E.M.P.; Lisbona, F. Metabolismo lipídico y hábitos saludables en un grupo de jóvenes universitarios de la población de Granada. Ars. Pharm. 2010, 51, 407–419. [Google Scholar]
  8. López-Moreno, M.; Garcés-Rimón, M.; Miguel, M.; Iglesias López, M.T. Adherence to Mediterranean Diet, Alcohol Consumption and Emotional Eating in Spanish University Students. Nutrients 2021, 13, 3174. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Martín-Espinosa, N.M.; Garrido-Miguel, M.; Martínez-Vizcaíno, V.; González-García, A.; Redondo-Tébar, A.; Cobo-Cuenca, A.I. The Mediating and Moderating Effects of Physical Fitness of the Relationship between Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet and Health-Related Quality of Life in University Students. Nutrients 2020, 12, 3578. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Espada, J.P.; Morales, A.; Orgilés, M.; Piqueras, J.A.; Carballo, J.L. Sexual behaviour under the influence of alcohol among Spanish adolescents. Adicciones 2012, 25, 55–62. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  11. Moure-Rodríguez, L.; Doallo, S.; Juan-Salvadores, P.; Corral, M.; Cadaveira, F.; Caamaño-Isorna, F. Consumo intensivo de alcohol y cannabis, y prácticas sexuales de riesgo en estudiantes universitarios. Gac. Sanit. 2016, 30, 438–443. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  12. Kypri, K.; Hallett, J.; Howat, P.; McManus, A.; Maycock, B.; Bowe, S. Randomized controlled trial of proactive web-based alcohol screening and brief intervention for university students. Arch. Intern. Med. 2009, 169, 1508–1514. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  13. Rodríguez-Muñoz, P.M.; Carmona-Torres, J.M.; Hidalgo-Lopezosa, P.; Cobo-Cuenca, A.I.; Rodríguez-Borrego, M.A. Evolution of alcohol and tobacco consumption in young people in Spain, after the law 42/2010 against smoking: 2011–2014. Adicciones 2019, 31, 274–283. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  14. Del Río Olvera, F.J.; Vega, D.J.L.; Santamaría, F.C. Adaptation of the sexual opinion survey: Revised sexual opinion survey. Rev. Int. Androl. 2013, 11, 9–16. [Google Scholar]
  15. Ruiz-García, A.; Jiménez, Ó.; Ojeda-Mora, M.A.; Rando-Hurtado, M.Á.; Martínez-Suárez, L. Group intervention in sex education with students: Attitudes towards sexuality, masturbation and sexual fantasies. Escr. Psicol. 2019, 12, 30–37. [Google Scholar]
  16. Caamano-Isorna, F.; Corral, M.; Parada, M.; Cadaveira, F. Factors associated with risky consumption and heavy episodic drinking among Spanish university students. J. Stud. Alcohol Drugs. 2008, 69, 308–312. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  17. Calafat, A.; Juan, M.; Becoña, E.; Mantecón, A.; Ramón, A. Sexualidad de riesgo y consumo de drogas en el contexto recreativo. Una perspectiva de género. Psicothema 2009, 21, 227–233. [Google Scholar]
  18. Sutarso, T.; Tang, T.L.; Anerin, D.R.; McCartt, I.W.; Gibson, C.B. Sexual temptation: Substance abuse, no sex, safe sex, risky sex, and STDs. Int. J. Adolesc. Med. Health 2016, 23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  19. Rodríguez, A.; Hernán, M.; Cabrera, A.; García, J.M.; Romo, N. ¿Qué opinan adolescentes y jóvenes sobre el consumo de drogas recreativas y las conductas sexuales de riesgo? Adicciones 2007, 19, 16. [Google Scholar]
  20. Fabbian, F.; Zucchi, B.; De Giorgi, A.; Tiseo, R.; Boari, B.; Salmi, R.; Cappadona, R.; Gianesini, G.; Bassi, E.; Signani, F.; et al. Chronotype, gender and general health. Chronobiol. Int. 2016, 33, 863–882. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Saunders, J.B.; Aasland, O.G.; Babor, T.F.; de la Fuente, J.R.; Grant, M. Development of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test (AUDIT): WHO Collaborative Project on Early Detection of Persons with Harmful Alcohol Consumption--II. Addiction 1993, 88, 791–804. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Guillamón, M.C.; Solé, A.G.; Farran, J.C. Test para la identificación de transtornos por uso de alcohol (audit): Traducción y validación del audit al catalán y castellano. Adicciones 1999, 11, 337–347. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  23. Babor, T.F.; Higgins-Biddle, J.C.; Saunders, J.B.; Monteiro, M.G. Cuestionario de Identificación de los Transtornos debidos al Consumo de Alcohol; OMS: Geneva, Switzerland, 2001. [Google Scholar]
  24. García Carretero, M.Á.; Novalbos Ruiz, J.P.; Martínez Delgado, J.M.; Ferrall González, C. Validation of the Alcohol Use Disorders Identification Test in university students: AUDIT and AUDIT-C. Adicciones 2016, 28, 194–204. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  25. Tuunanen, M.; Aalto, M.; Seppa, K. Binge drinking and its detection among middle-aged men using AUDIT, AUDIT-C and AUDIT-3. Drug Alcohol Rev. 2007, 26, 295–299. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  26. Fagerstrom, K.O. Measuring degree of physical dependence to tobacco smoking with reference to individualization of treatment. Addict. Behav. 1978, 3, 235–241. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  27. Becoña, E.; Alvarez-Soto, E.; Gómez-Durán, B.; García, M.P. Scores of Spanish Smokers on Fagerström’s Tolerance Questionnaire. Psychol. Rep. 1992, 71, 1227–1233. [Google Scholar]
  28. Richmond, R.L.; Kehoe, L.A.; Webster, I.W. Multivariate models for predicting abstention following intervention to stop smoking by general practitioners. Addiction 1993, 88, 1127–1135. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  29. Córdoba, R.; Martín, C.; Casas, R.; Barberá, C.; Botaya, M.; Hernández, A.; Jané, C. Value of Brief Primary Care Questionnaires in Predicting the Giving-Up of Tobacco. Aten. Prim. 2000, 25, 32–36. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  30. Serra-Majem, L.; Ribas, L.; Ngo, J.; Ortega, R.M.; García, A.; Pérez-Rodrigo, C.; Aranceta, J. Food, youth and the Mediterranean diet in Spain. Development of KIDMED, Mediterranean diet quality index in children and adolescents. Public Health Nutr. 2004, 7, 931–935. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  31. Horne, J.A.; Ostberg, O. A self-assessment questionnaire to determine morningness-eveningness in human circadian rhythms. Int. J. Chronobiol. 1976, 4, 97–110. [Google Scholar]
  32. Adan, A.; Almirall, H. Horne & Östberg morningness-eveningness questionnaire: A reduced scale. Pers. Individ. Differ. 1990, 12, 241–253. [Google Scholar]
  33. Marchena, C.; Bernabéu, E.; Iglesias, T. Are Adherence to the Mediterranean Diet, Emotional Eating, Alcohol Intake, and Anxiety Related in University Students in Spain? Nutrients 2020, 12, 2224. [Google Scholar]
  34. Breslow, R.A.; Guenther, P.M.; Smothers, B.A. Alcohol drinking patterns and diet quality: The 1999–2000 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Am. J. Epidemiol. 2006, 163, 359–366. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  35. Valencia-Martín, J.L.; Galán, I.; Rodríguez-Artalejo, F. The association between alcohol consumption patterns and adherence to food consumption guidelines. Alcohol Clin. Exp. Res. 2011, 35, 2075–2081. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  36. Sluik, D.; Bezemer, R.; Sierksma, A.; Feskens, E. Alcoholic Beverage Preference and Dietary Habits: A Systematic Literature Review. Crit. Rev. Food Sci. Nutr. 2016, 56, 2370–2382. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  37. Ashton, L.M.; Hutchesson, M.J.; Rollo, M.E.; Morgan, P.J.; Collins, C.E. Motivators and Barriers to Engaging in Healthy Eating and Physical Activity. Am. J. Men Health 2017, 11, 330–343. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  38. Scholz, A.; Navarrete-Muñoz, E.M.; de la Hera, M.G.; Gimenez-Monzo, D.; González-Palacios, S.; Valera-Gran, D.; Torres-Collado, L.; Vioque, J. Alcohol consumption and Mediterranean Diet adherence among health science students in Spain: The DiSA-UMH Study. Gac Sanit. 2016, 30, 126–132. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  39. Scott, S.; Muir, C.; Stead, M.; Fitzgerald, N.; Kaner, E.; Bradley, J.; Wrieden, W.; Power, C.; Adamson, C. Exploring the links between unhealthy eating behaviour and heavy alcohol use in the social, emotional and cultural lives of young adults (aged 18–25): A qualitative research study. Appetite 2020, 144, 104449. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  40. Mato, M.; Tsukasaki, K. Relationship between breakfast consumption and health-related habits among university students in Japan. Jpn. J. Public Health 2020, 67, 791–799. [Google Scholar]
  41. Wang, M.; Zhong, J.M.; Wang, H.; Zhao, M.; Gong, W.W.; Pan, J.; Fei, F.-R.; Wu, H.-B.; Yu, M. Breakfast Consumption and Its Associations with Health-Related Behaviors among School-Aged Adolescents: A Cross-Sectional Study in Zhejiang Province, China. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2016, 13, 761. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  42. Del Pozo de la Calle, S.; Alonso Ledesma, I.; Nuñez, O.; Castelló Pastor, A.; Lope Carvajal, V.; Fernández de Larrea Baz, N.; Pérez-Gómez, B.; Pollán, M.; Moreno, E.R. Composition and Nutritional Quality of the Diet in Spanish Households during the First Wave of the COVID-19 Pandemic. Nutrients 2021, 13, 1443. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  43. Năsui, B.A.; Ungur, R.A.; Talaba, P.; Varlas, V.N.; Ciuciuc, N.; Silaghi, C.A.; Silaghi, H.; Opre, D.; Pop, A.L. Is Alcohol Consumption Related to Lifestyle Factors in Romanian University Students? Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2021, 18, 1835. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Thompson, T.P.; Taylor, A.H.; Wanner, A.; Husk, K.; Wei, Y.; Creanor, S.; Kandiyali, R.; Neale, J.; Sinclair, J.; Nasser, M.; et al. Physical activity and the prevéntion, reduction, and treatment of alcohol and/or substance use across the lifespan (The PHASE review): Protocol for a systematic review. Syst. Rev. 2018, 22, 1–15. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  45. Niedermeier, M.; Fruhauf, A.; Kopp-Wilfling, P.; Rumpold, G.; Kopp, M. Alcohol Consumption and Physical Activity in Austrian College Students-A Cross-Sectional Study. Subst. Use Misuse 2018, 53, 1581–1590. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  46. Beenstock, J.; Adams, J.; White, M. The association between time perspective and alcohol consumption in university students: Cross-sectional study. Eur. J. Public Health 2011, 21, 438–443. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  47. Heather, N.; Partington, S.; Partington, E.; Longstaff, F.; Allsop, S.; Jankowski, M.; Wareham, H.; Gibson, A.S.C. Alcohol use disorders and hazardous drinking among undergraduates at English universities. Alcohol Alcohol. 2011, 46, 270–277. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  48. Nourse, R.; Adamshick, P.; Stoltzfus, J. College Binge Drinking and Its Association with Depression and Anxiety: A Prospective Observational Study. East. Asian Arch. Psychiatry 2017, 27, 18–25. [Google Scholar] [PubMed]
  49. Ruisoto, P.; Cacho, R.; López-Goni, J.J.; Vaca, S.; Jiménez, M. Prevalence and profile of alcohol consumption among university students in Ecuador. Gac. Sanit. 2016, 30, 370–374. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  50. Tabernero, C.; Gutiérrez-Domingo, T.; Luque, B.; García-Vázquez, O.; Cuadrado, E. Protective Behavioral Strategies and Alcohol Consumption: The Moderating Role of Drinking-Group Gender Composition. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019, 16, 900. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  51. Bravo, A.J.; Pearson, M.R.; Pilatti, A.; Read, J.P.; Mezquita, L.; Ibanez, M.I.; Ortet, G. Cross-cultural examination of college drinking culture in Spain, Argentina, and USA: Measurement invariance testing of the College Life Alcohol Salience Scale. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2017, 180, 349–355. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  52. Wicki, M.; Kuntsche, E.; Gmel, G. Drinking at European universities? A review of students’ alcohol use. Addict. Behav. 2010, 35, 913–924. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  53. Davoren, M.P.; Shiely, F.; Byrne, M.; Perry, I.J. Hazardous alcohol consumption among university students in Ireland: A cross-sectional study. BMJ Open 2015, 5, e006045. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  54. Thomas, J.; Kumar, R.V.; Akhil, S.; Saji, A.M.; Iype, A.K.; Antony, D. Prevalence of smoking among dental students and gauging their knowledge about tobacco cessation methods: An original study. J. Family Med. Prim. Care 2019, 8, 1562–1566. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  55. Bowen, S.; Kurz, A.S. Smoking, nicotine dependence, and motives to quit in Asian American versus Caucasian college students. Nicotine Tob. Res. 2012, 14, 1235–1240. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  56. Ostroumov, A.; Dani, J.A. Convergent Neuronal Plasticity and Metaplasticity Mechanisms of Stress, Nicotine, and Alcohol. Annu. Rev. Pharmacol. 2018, 58, 547–566. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  57. Verplaetse, T.L.; McKee, S.A. An overview of alcohol and tobacco/nicotine interactions in the human laboratory. Am. J. Drug Alcohol Abuse 2017, 43, 186–196. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  58. Gibson, M.; Munafò, M.R.; Taylor, A.E.; Treur, J.L. Evidence for Genetic Correlations and Bidirectional, Causal Effects Between Smoking and Sleep Behaviors. Nicotine Tob. Res. 2019, 21, 731–738. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  59. Wittmann, M.; Dinich, J.; Merrow, M.; Roenneberg, T. Social jetlag: Misalignment of biological and social time. Chronobiol. Int. 2006, 23, 497–509. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  60. Del Río Olvera, F.J.; Santamaría, F.C.; García, M.A.C.; Vega, D.J.L. SOSPECHA (Sexual Opinion Survey en población española con historial de adicciones). Rev. Int. Androl. 2012, 10, 125–131. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  61. Garcia-Vega, E.; Rico, R.; Fernandez, P. Sex, gender roles and sexual attitudes in university students. Psicothema 2017, 29, 178–183. [Google Scholar]
  62. Harkabus, L.C.; Harman, J.J.; Puntenney, J.M. Condom accessibility: The moderating effects of alcohol use and erotophobia in the information-motivation-behavioral skills model. Health Promot. Pract. 2013, 14, 751–758. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  63. Shim, J.W.; Lee, S.; Paul, B. Who responds to unsolicited sexually explicit materials on the internet? The role of individual differences. Cyberpsychol. Behav. 2007, 10, 71–79. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Table
Table 1. Sociodemographic variables and AUDIT Score.
Table 1. Sociodemographic variables and AUDIT Score.
Sociodemographic VariablesAUDIT Score
n (Mean) SDp
Gender 0.027
Male140 (6.02)4.42
Female275 (5.04)4.14
University 0.001
UCO150 (4.54)3.31
UCLM265 (5.84)4.64
History of alcohol consumption by parents 0.002
Yes114 (6.41)4.74
No301 (4.98)3.99
History of tobacco consumption by parents 0.244
Yes 271 (5.55)4.44
No144 (5.04)3.88
History of physical activity by parents 0.059
Yes29 (7.9)7.35
No386 (5.18)3.88
Use of a protection method when having sexual relations 0.092
Yes382 (5.19)3.85
No33 (7.42)7.28
Place of residence 0.172
University residence36 (5.5)4.75
Cohabit with parents 186 (4.87)3.45
Cohabit with peers181 (5.93)4.88
Live with a partner2 (4)2.07
Live alone3 (7.66)4.04
Marital status 0.546
Single399 (5.28)4.08
Married15 (5.93)3.26
Types of studies 0.583
Health Sciences125 (5.74)4.52
Social and Legal Sciences94 (5.51)4.52
Engineering and Architectures27 (4.37)2.60
Arts and Humanities77 (5.16)4.36
Physical and Life sciences92 (5.2)3.90
n, count; SD, standard deviation; UCO, University of Cordoba; UCLM, University of Castilla-La Mancha; AUDIT score: 6–12 points for women and 8–12 points for men (risk consumption); from 13 points (alcohol dependence).
Table
Table 2. Correlation between AUDIT score and responses for each item of the KIDMED score.
Table 2. Correlation between AUDIT score and responses for each item of the KIDMED score.
KIDMED Test (%, Yes)AUDIT Score
Pearson’s Correlation (r)Sig. (Bilateral)
Ingests fruit or fruit juice every day−0.1160.019
Has a second serving of fruit every day−0.0440.371
Has fresh or cooked vegetables regularly once a day−0.0430.380
Has fresh or cooked vegetables more than once a day−0.0430.038
Consumes fish regularly (at least 2–3 days/week)−0.0810.099
Goes to a fast-food (hamburger) restaurant more than once a week0.1690.001
Likes pulses and eats them more than once a week−0.1000.042
Consumes pasta or rice almost every day (≥5 times/week)0.0370.451
Has cereals or cereal products (bread) for breakfast−0.0180.710
Consumes nuts regularly (at least 2–3 times per week)0.0740.134
Uses olive oil at home−0.1630.001
Skips breakfast0.0960.050
Has a dairy product for breakfast (yogurt, milk, etc.)−0.0370.447
Eats two yogurts and/or some cheese (40 g) daily−0.1180.016
Has commercially baked goods or pastries for breakfast0.0780.115
Takes sweets and candy several times every day0.1150.019
Table
Table 3. Associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, chronotype, erotophobia–erotophilia dimension, and motivation to quit smoking.
Table 3. Associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, chronotype, erotophobia–erotophilia dimension, and motivation to quit smoking.
Motivation to Quit Smoking
β95% CIp
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet0.142−0.041, 0.3250.127
Chronotype−0.186−0.322, −0.0500.008
Erotophobia–erotophilia dimension−0.032−0.053, −0.0110.003
CI, confidence interval. Linear regression models were used to establish associations with continuous variables (adherence to the Mediterranean diet, chronotype, erotophobia–erotophilia dimension, and motivation to quit smoking). R2 Nagelkerke: 0.095.
Table
Table 4. Associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, nicotine dependence, and risk alcohol consumption.
Table 4. Associations between adherence to the Mediterranean diet, nicotine dependence, and risk alcohol consumption.
Risk Alcohol Consumption
β95% CIp
Adherence to the Mediterranean diet−0.439−0.790, −0.0890.006
Nicotine dependence−0.602−0.172, 1.0310.008
CI, confidence interval. Linear regression models were used to establish associations with continuous variables (adherence to the Mediterranean diet, nicotine dependence, and risk alcohol consumption). R2 Nagelkerke: 0.149.
Publisher’s Note: MDPI stays neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Rodríguez-Muñoz, P.M.; Carmona-Torres, J.M.; Rivera-Picón, C.; Morales-Cané, I.; Fabbian, F.; Manfredini, R.; Rodríguez-Borrego, M.A.; López-Soto, P.J. Risky Behaviours of Spanish University Students: Association with Mediterranean Diet, Sexual Attitude and Chronotype. Nutrients 2021, 13, 4042. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13114042

AMA Style

Rodríguez-Muñoz PM, Carmona-Torres JM, Rivera-Picón C, Morales-Cané I, Fabbian F, Manfredini R, Rodríguez-Borrego MA, López-Soto PJ. Risky Behaviours of Spanish University Students: Association with Mediterranean Diet, Sexual Attitude and Chronotype. Nutrients. 2021; 13(11):4042. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13114042

Chicago/Turabian Style

Rodríguez-Muñoz, Pedro Manuel, Juan Manuel Carmona-Torres, Cristina Rivera-Picón, Ignacio Morales-Cané, Fabio Fabbian, Roberto Manfredini, María Aurora Rodríguez-Borrego, and Pablo Jesús López-Soto. 2021. "Risky Behaviours of Spanish University Students: Association with Mediterranean Diet, Sexual Attitude and Chronotype" Nutrients 13, no. 11: 4042. https://doi.org/10.3390/nu13114042

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop