| Title | A Cross-Sectional Study of University Surroundings and Obesity Risk Among European Students |
|---|---|
| Subtitle | Findings from the EDU-FIT Project |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.18690/um.ff.6.2026.3 |
| Landing page | https://press.um.si/index.php/ump/en/catalog/book/1110/chapter/1135 |
| License | https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ |
| Copyright | University of Maribor, University of Maribor Press |
| Publisher | University of Maribor Press |
| Published on | 2026-05-19 |
| Long abstract | Recognizing the importance of healthy habits, the EDU-FIT project aims to promote awareness and healthy lifestyles among students, shaping them as future leaders of healthier societies. We performed an analysis of best practices in developing healthy lifestyle habits among students. The study encompassed 1533 students with a demographic skew towards females (72%), a median age of 21 years, and a median BMI of 23 kg/m². Most were in early study years, primarily in Natural and Applied Sciences. Notably, there was high percentage of students who didn't reside in their home region (69%), raising concerns about access to university cafeterias (20% lacked access) and high reliance on takeaway food (80%). Despite 30% lacking access to exercise facilities, over 80% engaged in physical activity at least three times weekly, indicating a potential need for improved facilities. The absence of courses focused on healthy habits in university programs highlights a significant gap in promoting student well-being. This prompts the question: is university solely for education or also for nurturing well-being? EDU-FIT underscores that both knowledge and health are vital for future success. |
| Print length | 20 pages |
| Language | English (Original) |
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Maja Baretić, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, is a consultant endocrinologist, diabetologist, and specialist in internal medicine at the University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Croatia. Her clinical and research work focuses on diabetes mellitus, the integration of emerging technologies in healthcare, and the evolving role of innovation in modern medicine. She has a strong clinical focus on diabetes in pregnancy, obesity, cystic fibrosis-related diabetes, and thyroid disorders. Dr. Baretić leads the Croatian Obesity Treatment Referral Centre, a Collaborating Centre for Obesity Management by the European Association for the Study of Obesity. She holds the title of European Obesity Fellow. Her research has been published in leading international journals including The Lancet, Nature, and Nature Medicine. Dr. Baretić serves on the boards of the member of the Clinical Committee of the European Society of Endocrinology.Zagreb, Croatia. E-mail: maja.baretic@kbc-zagreb.hr