Research Impact Summary: Risky health-related behaviours (physical inactivity, alcohol abuse, smoking, poor dietary behaviours and illicit drug use) are primary causes of premature morbidity and mortality. There is a risk that individuals will engage in risky health-related behaviours while at university, due to an increase in exposure and independence. This research examines how students cluster together based on their health-related behaviours. In addition, students who had a greater likelihood of being categorised in a ‘risky’ cluster, based on their sex, age, field of study and accommodation type are identified. These findings can be used to target student groups at risk, leading to more efficient and successful health promotion efforts.
Murphy, J.J., MacDonncha, C., Murphy, M.H., Murphy, N., Timperio, A., Leech, R.M., & Woods, C.B. Identification of health-related behavioural clusters and their association with demographic characteristics in Irish university students. BMC Public Health 2019 19:121. DOI:
10.1186/s12889-019-6453-6
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