Lifestyle Factors Influencing Dietary Patterns of University Professors

María López-Olivares, Carlos De Teresa Galván, Teresa Nestares, Elisabet Fernández-Gómez and Carmen Enrique-Mirón
Additional contact information
María López-Olivares: Doctoral Degree School, Melilla Campus, University of Granada, Calle Santander s/n, 52001 Melilla, Spain
Carlos De Teresa Galván: Andalusian Sport Medicine Centre, 18007 Granada, Spain
Teresa Nestares: Department of Physiology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Granada, 18071 Granada, Spain
Elisabet Fernández-Gómez: Department of Nursing, Faculty of Health Sciences, Melilla Campus, University of Granada, Calle Santander s/n, 52001 Melilla, Spain
Carmen Enrique-Mirón: HUM-613 Research Group, Department of Inorganic Chemistry, Faculty of Health Sciences, Melilla Campus, University of Granada, Calle Santander s/n, 52001 Melilla, Spain

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 18, 1-13

Abstract: The objectives of this study are to identify eating patterns of university professors and to assess the relationships among sociodemographic factors in relation to lifestyle and physical activity. It is a cross-sectional, descriptive-correlational, and observational study with a representative sample of 127 educators, which covers almost the total population of university professors belonging to one of the campuses of the University of Granada (Spain). Two eating patterns were identified a posteriori through explanatory factor analysis: a Western pattern characterised by the consumption of dairy products, eggs, meat, sausages, refined oils, and butter, sugar, processed baked goods, and sugar-containing beverages and alcoholic drinks, and a Mediterranean pattern based on olive oil, fish, fruits, nuts, vegetables, pulses, cereals, and honey, which explain the 20.102 and 17.411 of variance, respectively. Significant differences are observed between the two genders with respect to anthropometric characteristics (weight and size, p < 0.001 in both cases) and to nutritional status ( p = 0.011). Origin ( p = 0.022) and level of physical activity ( p = 0.010) were significantly related to adherence to a Western diet pattern. In the case of the Mediterranean diet pattern, significant differences are observed according to the professors’ type of bachelor’s degree ( p = 0.37). This study provides evidence on factors having an impact on adherence to eating patterns of professors of the University of Granada, and it suggests that programmes addressed to such groups should be developed to promote health.

Keywords: Mediterranean pattern; western pattern; professors; university; sociodemographic factors; healthy lifestyle (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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