Health Behaviors of Austrian Secondary School Teachers and Principals at a Glance: First Results of the From Science 2 School Study Focusing on Sports Linked to Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets

Abstract

Lifestyle behaviors are key contributors to sustainable health and well-being over the lifespan. The analysis of health-related behaviors is crucial for understanding the state of health in different populations, especially teachers who play a critical role in establishing the lifelong health behaviors of their pupils. This multidisciplinary, nationwide study aimed to assess and compare lifestyle patterns of Austrian teachers and school principals at secondary levels I and II with a specific focus on physical activity and diet. A total number of 1350 teachers (1.5% of the eligible Austrian sample; 69.7% females; 37.7% from urban areas; mean age: 45.8 ± 11.4 years; mean BMI: 24.2 ± 4.0) completed a standardized online survey following an epidemiological approach. Across the total sample, 34.4% were overweight/obese with a greater prevalence of overweight/obesity in males than females (49.5% vs. 29.2%, p < 0.01) and rural vs. urban environments (35.9% vs. 31.3%). Most participants (89.3%) reported a mixed diet, while 7.9% and 2.9% were vegetarians and vegans, respectively. The average BMI of teachers with mixed diets (24.4 ± 4.0 kg/m2) was significantly higher than vegetarians (23.1 ± 3.2 kg/m2) and vegans (22.7 ± 4.3 kg/m2). Vegans reported a lower level of alcohol intake (p < 0.05) among dietary groups. There was no between-group difference in smoking (p > 0.05). The prevalence of engagement in regular physical activity was 88.7% for leisure-time sports/exercises and 29.2% for club sports. Compared with the previous reports on general populations, the present data suggest an acceptable overall health status among Austrian teachers.

Study protocol of “From Science 2 School”—prevalence of sports and physical exercise linked to omnivorous, vegetarian and vegan, diets among Austrian secondary schools

“…Teacher health is not only a prerequisite for high-quality education but crucial for successful societies; healthy teachers positively contribute to educating and growing healthy children via their distinct impact on pupils' lifestyle choices ( 129 , 130 ). The promotion of teacher health is thus not a “private matter” of individual teachers but a contribution to the education system and the general public as a whole ( 131 ) regarding public health issues for nations such as Austria ( 132 ). Good health behaviors, healthy lifestyles, and health education passing from adults to children appear to be part of the future health solution; however, parents or teachers cannot be relied upon exclusively for building the health of their children and preventing NCDs.…”

Study Protocol of “Sustainably Healthy—From Science 2 Highschool & University”—Prevalence of Mixed, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets Linked to Sports & Exercise among Austrian Tertiary Students and Lecturers/Academic Staff

“…This outcome may be due to the characteristics of plant-based foods (e.g., low-calorie alongside high density of micronutrients and dietary fiber) compared with animal-based foods (e.g., high calorie and high fat, protein, and sodium) [ 111 , 142 , 143 ] implying their importance in sustaining healthy body weight. Regardless of such nutritional differences, data have shown that vegan and vegetarian people may have further healthy lifestyle habits, including a higher involvement in sports & exercise activities [ 98 , 144 ] as well as a lower alcohol intake [ 98 , 99 , 145 ]. However, it should be considered that diet type, per se, may not be the ultimate indicator of a healthy nutritional pattern, since even vegans may have unhealthy nutritional habits (e.g., overconsumption of processed foods, sugar, salt, and refined carbohydrates), especially if the diet is planned inappropriately [ 32 , 102 , 146 ].…”

“…This population is a characterized occupational group with various roles as educators, partners, role models, counselors, supervisors/mentors, social directors, professional managers, and political theorists [ 168 ]. Therefore, the existing concern for the health of educational and academic staff seems not to be an individual “private matter” per se but a contribution to the public education system [ 99 , 169 ].…”

“…To date, there is no data about the association between diet type and lifestyle behaviors (particularly PA, sports & exercise) in Austrian college/university students and lecturers/academic staff. There is only one Austrian study that has been conducted in the secondary educational setting focusing on dietary trends (vegetarian and vegan vs. mixed diets) linked to PA patterns, entitled “From Science 2 School: Sustainably healthy—active & veggie” (S2S) [ 97 , 98 , 99 ]. To seamlessly extend the previous research on secondary levels I and II to the advanced education level, the current and crucial follow-up study was designed in the Austrian tertiary educational setting.…”

Racing Experiences of Recreational Distance Runners following Omnivorous, Vegetarian, and Vegan Diets (Part B)—Results from the NURMI Study (Step 2)

“…Health appears to be very closely related to physical performance [ 10 ], and diet type is known to correlate with many different factors of health, including but not limited to micronutrient status [ 11 ], lifestyle behaviors [ 12 , 13 ], risk of chronic disease [ 14 ], and all-cause mortality [ 15 ]. The proportion of a wide variety of plant-based whole foods (fruits; vegetables; flowers, roots, legumes, nuts; whole grains) making up an individual’s diet has been suggested to enhance running performance, particularly due to being a rich source of unrefined carbohydrates and antioxidants [ 16 , 17 , 18 ].…”