Sustainably healthy – From Science 2 Highschool & University

Especially during the academic years, the exercise behaviour of young people changes drastically. For many students, the start of their studies also means moving to a new location, leaving their parents' home, and thus breaking away from a familiar, secure structure. Due to a full timetable, unhealthy nutrition, little sports and exercise, and irregular sleep patterns, young students, in particular, run the risk of falling into an unhealthy lifestyle during their education. However, students are not informed about these risks.
A survey on the nutritional and exercise behaviour of Austrian students, therefore, seems essential and necessary for the representation of the current situation of students in Austria.

Johanna Barbara Gruber, BSc. (WU), Austrian Students' Union (Österreichische Hochschüler_innenschaft), 1st deputy chairperson, currently in the Master's programme Gender Studies and in the Master's programme Management

Healthy and motivated students and staff are the most important resource of a university or college. The aim of the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland is to initiate and support healthy and health-promoting working and living conditions, as well as to promote and strengthen the personal competencies and potentials of our students, lecturers and staff. As a cross-sectional task, behavioural health promotion is directed at all those involved at the university.
Exercise and nutrition are essential components of a health-promoting lifestyle.  In particular, programmes that promote a balanced diet and more physical activity among adults and that address not only behaviour but also circumstances have proven to be extraordinarily effective. It is particularly interesting for the University of Applied Sciences Burgenland to use the study´s findings in its in-house occupational health management.

Prof. (FH) Dr. Erwin Gollner, MPH MBA, Program Director, Head of Health Department

Lifestyle measures such as a balanced diet, regular exercise, weight awareness, not smoking, restrained alcohol and meat consumption, and stress management are extremely valuable aids to healthy ageing.
Exercise as a "medicine" has a preventive effect against countless diseases such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. It relieves pain, strengthens the immune system, and it supports and protects the psyche. This "medicine" is inexpensive, easy to dose and, when used correctly, has no side effects.
Especially in these times of discussion about climate change, as a preventive and environmental medical specialist, I am amazed about our lifestyle; actually, it is simple: what is good for the planet is also good for us ... buying and cooking regionally/seasonally, and eating a vegetable-based diet – together with an active lifestyle is good for our health and is also good for the health of the planet.
... and: the earlier we start raising awareness, but also with implementation, the better!
„Sustainable healthy“ will be an important building block for this. I look forward to the valuable insights.

Dr. med. Bernd Haditsch, Specialist for Internal Medicine, Head of the Health Centre for Preventive Examinations, Graz, Österreichische Gesundheitskasse (ÖGK)

It is unfortunate that unhealthy eating and exercise habits do not stop at pregnant women but pass on to the next generation as well. Ready-to-eat meals with a lot of fat, sugar and salt, and a high proportion of saturated fatty acids due to excessive consumption of foods of animal origin, contribute to the fact that diseases of affluence, such as high blood pressure or diabetes, also occur more frequently during pregnancy. A diet rich in fiber, for example, significantly reduces the risk of gestational diabetes. Sports/exercise during pregnancy, such as yoga for pregnant women, is becoming more popular but is unfortunately still a niche topic.
After birth, the nutrition of their own offspring is often left to baby formula and jar manufacturers rather than creating their baby’s nutrition themselves.
Many parents lack the knowledge about the uniqueness of breast milk or later on about the quality of freshly prepared wholesome meals with the highest possible proportion of plant-based components. In this area, 'From Science 2 Highschool & University' can make a significant contribution to sensitize future multipliers, linking everyday topics such as nutrition, sports and exercise in an exciting way and to bring them closer to future generations.

Veronika Rom-Erhard, certified freelance midwife in the district of Kufstein with a focus on pregnancy, breastfeeding counseling and support in the postpartum periord

In modern health research, it is more important than ever to shift the perspective away from a pure transfer of knowledge and towards behaviour lived out in daily practice. This applies to working with children as well as with adults. Social development reflects an ongoing trend towards a conscious and sustainable lifestyle, for oneself but also for the environment. The current pandemic has further powered the health trend, in which nutrition and our physical activity behaviours are the central pillars.
This study will make a valuable contribution to this and provide new insights with up-to-date data.

Dr. Manuel Schätzer, Nutritionist, University Lecturer, SIPCAN – Initiative for a healthy life, Special Institute for Preventive Cardiology and Nutrition

In 2019, diseases of the cardiovascular system, including cerebrovascular diseases, continue to lead the statistics for causes of death in the population of Austria.
Atherosclerosis begins in adolescence! The wrong habits can lead to a heart attack decades later. But, this fate can be avoided.
We can attribute great potential to the prevention of so-called affluent diseases primarily to nutrition, but also to exercise habits and physical activity.
The prerequisite for the best prevention strategy is the exact knowledge of the current state of dietary and physical activity habits in different age groups and population structures.
What is particularly exciting about the present study is the collection of habits and knowledge regarding healthy behavior in different age groups of similar educational levels.
Here the scientists are working a priceless service around Dr. Wirnitzer with the studies "Sustainably Healthy - From Science to School" and now also as a logical sequel, "Sustainably Healthy - From Science to High School & University.

Dr. med. Simon Straub, Specialist in Pediatric and Adolescent Medicine, specializing in pediatric Gastroenterology and Hepatology, Department of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, Innsbruck University Clinics, Tyrol Clinics, Innsbruck, Austria

Nutrition and exercise are the most important lifestyle factors for the prevention of non-communicable, chronic diseases. Cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes or cancers are not only the main causes of death in the so-called industrialised countries, but they are also increasing massively worldwide. This is strongly related to diet and increasing physical inactivity. Recent data shows that on average, 80% of the world’s children and adolescents move less than 1h/day, and that only a small percentage of adults reach the WHO's physical activity recommendation of 150 min/week. The same applies to nutritional habits, as shown by the Austrian nutrition reports of the last decades, but also by international nutrition reports. Not enough plant-based foods are consumed, such as fruit, vegetables or whole grain products, but too much meat and meat products. At the same time, overweight and obesity have increased dramatically in recent decades.
The university study will provide important data on the diet and lifestyle of a relatively large group of the population - students as well as academic staff - who have not yet been surveyed to this depth. The results will contribute to an even greater awareness of lifestyle factors as well as their preventive potential and hopefully, promote it in the targeted population.

Univ.-Prof. Dr. Karl-Heinz Wagner, Professor of Nutrition and Food Quality, Head of the Emerging Field Oxidative Stress and DNA Stability Working Group, Head of the Active Ageing Research Platform, Department of Nutritional Sciences, Vice Dean Faculty of Life Sciences, University of Vienna