Effects of Physical Activity, Smoking and Alcohol Consumption on Quality of Life of Students in Continuous Education Centers

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of health behaviours, such as physical activity, smoking and alcohol use, on quality of life of adults who are in education process. The research sample was composed by 363 adult learners, (Mean Age = 41.86, SD = 11.42 years) who were attending training programmes in an Adult Education Centre. Questionnaires were used in order to record smoking on a daily basis, alcohol use on a week basis, as well as physical activity. For the evaluation of quality of life the SF-36 questionnaire was used. Regression analyses showed that smoking behavior contribute to the explanation of mental (R2=.03, p<.05) and physical health (R2=.02, p<.05), while alcohol use contribute to the explanation of physical health (R2=.02, p<.05). In addition, it was found that only medium-intensity physical activity contributed to the explanation of mental (R2=.04, p<.05) and physical health (R2=.03, p<.05). Hence, health behaviours are connected with the quality of life of adults who choose to attend lifelong education programmes.