PUI SAN IEONG, WENG IAN PHOENIX PANG, CINDY SIN U LEONG, YOK MAN CYMON CHAN
DOI: https://doi.org/Objectives: The university years are a pivotal period for establishing lifelong health behaviors. While students in Macao face known lifestyle risks, local evidence on the psychosocial factors shaping their health choices is scarce. This study aimed to describe the health-promoting lifestyles and health concepts of university students in Macao and to identify key predictors to inform campus health initiatives.
Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted with 386 undergraduates at Macao Polytechnic University (Dec 2023–Jan 2024). The validated Chinese Health-Promoting Lifestyle Profile II (HPLP-II) and Health Concept Scale were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, correlations, and multiple linear regression.
Results: The mean HPLP-II score was 128.05 (SD=26.61), with Physical Activity scoring lowest. The multiple regression model predicting HPLP-II was significant (F(11, 374) = 11.92, p < .001), explaining 26.0% of the variance. Counter-intuitively, after controlling for other factors, better self-rated health (β = -.302, p < .001) was the strongest predictor of a poorer health-promoting lifestyle. For Health Concept, better self-rated health (β = -.154, p < .01) was the sole significant predictor, also in a negative direction.
Conclusion: This study reveals a critical health paradox where a better subjective perception of health is associated with poorer health behaviors among Macao university students. This suggests that "health optimism" may be a significant barrier to preventive action, requiring campus health strategies to address not only information gaps but also these crucial psychological biases.
