Survey reveals mixed lifestyle habits

The College Lifestyle and Attitudinal National (CLAN) Survey of more than 3,200 undergraduate students in full-time third-level education throughout the State took place during the 2002/2003 academic year.

Its aim was to establish a national profile of student health and lifestyle habits.

More than half of all students rated their general health as excellent or very good. Eighty-five per cent perceived their mental health as good or very good; however, almost one in 20 rated their mental health as poor or very poor. The main source of stress for students was their college studies; in addition 43 per cent were stressed by finances.

In terms of diet, half ate vegetables on a daily basis. Among less healthy foods, sweets (39 per cent) and fizzy drinks (27 per cent) were the most popular. A greater number of male students had an unhealthy diet.

Exercise levels in the student population were much higher than in a comparative group in the national lifestyle survey, with 70 per cent of students physically active.

The survey revealed high levels of alcohol consumption among students. One in 10 used alcohol to forget worries and one in 20 drank when anxious or depressed.

Some 61 per cent of male students engaged in binge drinking once a week (at least four pints of beer or a bottle of wine in a single session). For females, 44 per cent reported at least weekly binge drinking.

When analysed further, the results showed that out of every 100 drinking occasions, 76 ended up in binge drinking for males and 60 for female students. Regular binge drinkers were twice a as likely to miss college or work.

More than one in four students were current smokers. Three quarters of all smokers had tried to stop smoking; nearly all wanted to quit. On a positive note, one quarter of all students who had smoked in the past were no longer smokers.

In terms of illegal drugs, 37 per cent of those surveyed used cannabis in the previous year, making it the most common illegal drug used by students. Ecstasy was used by 8 per cent. Overall, drug use in the student population was much higher than in the 2003 national drug prevalence survey.

The authors of the CLAN survey said they were concerned about students' coping skills.

"The results from this study demonstrate that students' coping mechanisms are not very conducive to positive mental health," they said.

And the extent of alcohol -related harm among college students was of "major concern... the physical well-being and welfare of students was compromised due to the risk of fights, accidents and high risk sexual activity," they concluded.