Abstract

Shikhah Almayobed* and Andrew P. Smith

ABSTRACT

Background: There has been extensive research on the associations between health-related behaviours and well-being. The present study continued approach using the Well-being Process approach, the Diet and Behaviour Scale and a sample of university students. Methods: Three hundred and thirty-five students completed an online survey, which included the Short-Form Well-being Process Questionnaire, the Short-Form Strengths and Difficulties Scale, and the Short-Form Diet and Behaviour Scale. Results: Many associations were observed in univariate analyses; however, these often became non-significant when the established well-being predictors were covaried. The results confirmed the effects of the well-being process predictors. In the multivariate analyses, coffee was associated with hyperactivity and more emotional problems. Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated with greater prosocial behaviour. Junk food consumption was associated with lower positive well-being and increased hyperactivity. Consumption of tea and exercise were associated with better physical health, whereas daytime sleepiness was associated with poorer mental health. Conclusion: The present study confirmed the effects of established predictors of well-being. Many effects of health-related behaviours were observed in univariate analyses, but many were not significant in multivariate analyses. Associations with coffee, junk food, fruit/vegetables and tea consumption were observed. Exercise and daytime sleepiness were associated with physical health. Longitudinal research is now required as the effects of diet could reflect reverse causality.