Relationship of Knowledge on Healthy Lifestyle to Dietary Practices and Physical Activity as Moderated by Age

Lifestyle – related diseases remained to be on the top ten killer according to the World HealthOrganization. Literature indicates that diseases are highly related to lifestyle practices. On theother hand, optimal health is a perceived goal of the greater population, however, putting it intopractice is a challenge. The study determined the following: 1) the level of knowledge onhealthy lifestyle, dietary practices and physical activity; 2) the relationship of knowledge onhealthy lifestyle to dietary practices and physical activities, and 3) the relationship ofknowledge to dietary practice and relationship of knowledge to physical activities according toage group. A Descriptive-correlational design was employed. The data were gathered among66 randomly selected university students staying in the dormitories; who are at least 18 yearsof age, in which 24 are males and 42 are females, and 40 have earned at most a bachelor’sdegree and 26 have at least earned units in a master’s program. Utilizing adapted instruments,respondents were scored on a 12-item instrument in knowledge where in each correct answercorrespond to one point, 27-item instrument on healthy lifestyle in terms of diet where in eachappropriate response correspond to one point, and 4-item instrument on healthy lifestyle interms of physical activities. In turn, the highest possible score of knowledge, diet, and physicalactivities are 12, 27, and 4, respectively. Descriptive results revealed that respondents havehigh knowledge on healthy lifestyle, have fair dietary practices and moderate practice ofphysical activities. Furthermore, knowledge on healthy lifestyle is not significantly correlatedto dietary practices physical activities. However, a significant relationship was found whenrespondents were grouped according to age; only those 24 years old and above were found tohave significant results. Hence, a recommendation to increase the accessibility andreinforcement values of exercise and physical activity that will have immediate and long termhealth benefits for college students