Increasing awareness of healthy lifestyle is important during the period of adolescence because habits are difficult to modify in adulthood. The aim of the study was to examine gender differences in health-promoting lifestyle among medical students and to analyze changes between the first and second year of the study. This cross sectional study was conducted on a sample of 1186 students (36% male). Data were collected by self-administered anonymous questionnaire, the Health- Promoting Lifestyle Profile [HPLP II] (Adult Version), and analyzed by descriptive statistics and nonparametric tests. The 941 HPLP II questionnaires were collected and analyzed (79% response rate). Both genders showed a medium level HPLP II total score (male M=2.68; IQR=2.42-2.92 vs. female M=2.65; IQR=2.46-2.90), without significant gender difference. A significantly higher score was observed in the subscales on health responsibility (p=0.027) and interpersonal relations (p<0.001) among female compared to male students, and a significantly higher score in the subscales on physical activity (p<0.001) and stress management (p=0.025) among male compared to female students. Considering differences in the health-promoting lifestyle between study years, a significantly higher score was recorded among second-year students in the HPLP II total score (p=0.004) and the subscales on physical activity (p=0.007), stress management (p=0.006) and spiritual growth (p=0.029). In conclusion, study results implied the need of organized health care and physical activity programs for university students based on specific requirements and needs.
Keywords: Students, medical; Lifestyle; Health promotion; Croatia.