Descriptive analysis of toxic substance consumption, adherence to the Mediterranean diet and type of residence in university students from Granada

Abstract

University years represent a period of risk in the configuration of healthy habits into adulthood, especially due to the deterioration of the dietary pattern of this sector and the high consumption of harmful substances such as legal drugs. This study aims to determine the level of consumption of tobacco and alcohol, as well as the level of adherence to the Mediterranean Diet (MD) and the place of residence of this sector of population, establishing patterns of relationship between these variables. 490 students (M=22,8 years old, SD=3,639) from the University of Granada were evaluated using the FTND, AUDIT and KIDMED instruments. The results show that four-fifths of the sample was not a smoker, while 9 of 10 participants was associated with some kind of dependence on alcohol. Analyzing their alimentation, three-fifths of the total followed a diet of lower-middle quality that should improve. Statistical differences were found between the consumption of tobacco and alcohol, associating almost all smokers to some kind of dependence on alcohol. There were not statistical associations between toxic substance use, adherence to the MD and place of residence of the sample. This research justifies the interest of generating proposals which promote physical-healthy habits among young adults.