A Comparative Study on Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Among Medical and Non-Medical College Students in Puducherry

Prithvi Ram C., Mohamed Muzzammil S.

Abstract: Background: Healthy lifestyle behaviours are essential for preventing chronic diseases and improving long-term well-being. College students, especially during their transition to adulthood, are at a critical stage where habits are formed that can impact future health. In India, including Puducherry, lifestyle-related risk factors among youth are increasing, yet limited comparative data exist between medical and non-medical students. Aim: To compare healthy lifestyle behaviours among medical and non-medical college students in Puducherry and to assess the relationship between these behaviours and selected demographic characteristics. Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 150 students from seven colleges, including Medicine, Nursing, Dentistry, Engineering, Arts, and Law, in Puducherry. A non-probability convenience sampling technique was used. Data were collected using a standardized lifestyle behaviour questionnaire and analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: The study found a highly statistically significant difference in Healthy Lifestyle Behaviour (HLB) scores, with Medical Students scoring much higher (Mean=135.10) and more consistently (SD=2.55) than Non-Medical Students (Mean=90.72). The formal t-test confirmed this difference (p < 0.001). Conversely, the study found no statistically significant relationship between the Total HLB Score and any of the demographic characteristics tested, such as Sex, Age, or Monthly Income (all p-values > 0.05). The overall result suggests that the difference in HLB is primarily driven by the academic stream rather than personal background factors. Conclusion: The study successfully established a significant difference in healthy lifestyle behaviours among college students in Puducherry. Medical students demonstrated statistically superior healthy lifestyle behaviours compared to non-medical students. However, the healthy lifestyle behaviours of the students were found to be independent of their tested demographic characteristics.

Keywords: Healthy Lifestyle Behaviour, Medical Students, Non-Medical Students, Physical Activity, Nutrition, Puducherry, College Youth

How to Cite?: Prithvi Ram C., Mohamed Muzzammil S., "A Comparative Study on Healthy Lifestyle Behaviours Among Medical and Non-Medical College Students in Puducherry", Volume 14 Issue 12, December 2025, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 1158-1161, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR251215121536, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR251215121536