Author(s): Manoj Bhardwaj and Baljinder Singh Bal

Abstract:
The relationship between socioeconomic status (SES) and lifestyle choices is a critical area of research, particularly among young adults who are at a formative stage of their lives. This study explores how SES impacts lifestyle domains among male students at Guru Nanak Dev University, Amritsar, Punjab. Utilizing the Lifestyle Assessment Inventory and the Socioeconomic Scale, we evaluated key lifestyle variables including physical activity, alcohol and drug use, nutritional habits, social wellness, spiritual wellness, emotional wellness, stress control, and intellectual wellness. The study involved 150 male students aged 16 to 28 years, categorized into lower, middle, and upper SES groups. The Shapiro-Wilk test indicated non-normal data distribution, prompting the use of the Kruskal-Wallis test for analysis. Significant differences were found in physical activity, nutritional habits, and emotional wellness across SES groups, with higher SES associated with more favourable outcomes in these areas. No significant differences were observed in alcohol and drug use, social wellness, spiritual wellness, stress control, and intellectual wellness. These findings underscore the need for targeted health promotion strategies to address SES-related disparities, particularly in physical activity, nutrition, and emotional wellness. Enhancing access to resources and support services for lower SES students is crucial for fostering an inclusive and health-promoting university environment. Future research should explore these relationships longitudinally to better understand the long-term implications of SES on lifestyle choices.

Pages: 425-430  |  161 Views  86 Downloads

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