Dixe, Maria dos AnjosGaspar, PedroMonteiro, Baltazar RicardoLopes, António José2010-11-042010-11-042009Dixe, Maria dos Anjos Coelho Rodrigues; Gaspar, Pedro João Soares; Monteiro, Baltazar Ricardo e Lopes, Antonio José (2009) Health Practices and Behaviours of students; International Journal of Developmental and educational Psychology Ano XXI, 2 (1), pp 65-76; ISSN: 0214-9877.0214-9877http://hdl.handle.net/10400.8/338Aims: To determine the practices and behaviours determinants of health among students; to determine the prevalence of eating disorders in a non-clinic population of students and to determine some predicting factors of the health practices and behaviours of students Methodology: A Cross sectional correlational study was conducted. The population for this study was composed of 1442 students who filled a questionnaire composed of: sociodemographic and family data, health practices and behaviours and diagnostic criteria for eating disorders; and general health data Results: The majority of students perceive health as good. As to the prevalence rate of hypercholesterolemia, girls registered a higher rate than boys (p<0,05) Identical results were found for the abdominal perimeter, with girls presenting a higher coronary risk when this parameter is present. The prevalence rate of pre-obesity and obesity is higher among male students. The results demonstrate differences according to gender which suggest that girls have healthier practices, eating and sleeping habits, driving behaviours and physical activity than boys. Older students have healthier eating and physical activity behaviours than younger students. The health practices and behaviours of students do not rely on the fact of them having all their meals at home. No potential cases of anorexia or bulimia were detected.porHealth practicesHealth behavioursStudentsjournal article