Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and well-being among nursing students
Intended for healthcare professionals
evidence & practice    

Promoting healthy lifestyle behaviours and well-being among nursing students

First-year university students often embark on university life with excitement. In addition to experiencing greater freedom, they begin to take responsibility for their lives. However, it can be challenging for students to balance their studies with their new self-care responsibilities, while forming peer relationships. Some students may eat a suboptimal diet, for example they may regularly consume ‘fast food’ rather than healthier alternatives. Their physical activity may also decrease, as a result of time constraints and/or lifestyle choices. A suboptimal diet and reduction in physical activity, combined with possible stress associated with this life transition, can result in adverse health effects, for example weight gain and mental health issues. This article aims to support nursing students to adopt a practical approach to maintaining their health and well-being as they adjust to university life.

Nursing Standard. doi: 10.7748/ns.2017.e10588

Correspondence

pmcsharry@stangelas.nuigalway.ie

Peer review

This article has been subject to external double-blind peer review and checked for plagiarism using automated software

Conflict of interest

None declared

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Answers to time out 4

One 25g packet of crisps is 133 kilocalories; one iced doughnut is 323 kilocalories; two wholegrain biscuits are 140 kilocalories; one large chocolate muffin is 420 kilocalories; one slice of apple tart is 288 kilocalories; one 50g chocolate bar is 260 kilocalories (Food Safety Authority of Ireland 2012).

Received: 12 June 2016

Accepted: 27 October 2016

Published online: 03 February 2017

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