University student profiles according to satisfaction with life, food and family

Abstract

The aim of this study was to distinguish university student profiles according to life satisfaction and satisfaction with food-related life and family, as well as to determine whether profiles differ in terms of their family support, quality of diet, body mass index (BMI) and socio-demographic characteristics. A questionnaire was applied to a non-probabilistic sample of 370 students of both sexes (mean age 21.1 years, 54.2% female) in Chile, including Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS), Satisfaction with Food-related Life (SWFoL) scale, Satisfaction with Family Life (SWFaL) scale, Family Resources Scale (FRS) and the Adapted Healthy Eating Index (AHEI). Three student types were distinguished with significant differences in average values of SWLS, SWFoL and SWFaL scales, z-scores from the intangible resources subscale from the FRS and average AHEI score. These profiles also differed in place of residence, dinner frequency at place of residence and BMI. Higher life satisfaction levels, as well as food-related life satisfaction, family life satisfaction, and intangible family support, were associated with a higher quality diet, lower BMI, living with parents while at university, and having dinner more frequently at home.