Influence of Personal Factors on Health-Promoting Behavior in College Students: A Structural Equation Modeling Approach

PURPOSE: This study aimed to determine how personal factors influence health-promoting behavior in university students using a structural equation modeling approach guided by the Health Promotion Model. PATIENTS AND METHODS: An analytical cross-sectional study was conducted. The study included 763 health science students from four universities in Cali, Colombia, who answered a questionnaire on personal factors and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile II, Spanish version, which was validated in the study population. The direct and indirect relationships between personal factors and health-promoting behaviors were assessed using structural equation modeling. Data analysis was performed using descriptive statistics and structural equation modeling. RESULTS: A significant relationship was noted between the biological and psychological personal factors of the measurement model (p < 0.05). Psychological personal factors (self-esteem and perceived health status) positively influence health promoting behavior in university students (Hypothesis 2). It’s not possible to demonstrate that health promoting behavior is positively influenced by personal biological factors (Hypothesis 1) and by personal sociocultural factors (Hypothesis 3). CONCLUSION: There is a need for interventions that help improve the health-promoting lifestyle profile and are focused on enhancing the self-esteem and perceived health status of university students.