Youngsters are a precious asset to every nation. As per the World Health Organization, the period between 10-19 years is called adolescence, 15-24 years is youth, and 10-24 years is called young people. When hormonal changes, education, and social interactions lead to physical growth and psychological and behavioral developments. It is a very vulnerable period because the lifestyle formed in that period will last a lifetime and is very hard to modify. Therefore, it is necessary to have a healthy lifestyle during this period.^1,2

As per the National Youth Policy India (2003), youth are considered people between 15 and 35 years old. Late adolescents (18-21) and young adults (20-24 years) are the most college-going students in the cities of India. It is a very stressful period because of developmental issues, career issues, and relationship issues. Young people are curious and fond of taking risks, trying new things, and participating in competitions. Their behavior is affected by movies, friends, family & society, and sometimes they develop lifestyles that may affect their health immediately or remotely. Lifestyles include dietary patterns, physical activity, addictions to tobacco, alcohol, mobile and the internet, sexual behavior, and psychological behavior. College-going students face challenges when adapting to these life changes; college students are at risk of developing mental health issues, more specifically, excessive anxiety, depression, and, hence, suicidal ideation. ^2,3

The prevalence of obesity among young adults in developing countries ranges from 2.3 to 12%, with overweight as high as 28.8 %. 4 Physical inactivities are ranked fourth among the risk factors of mortality all over the world and lead to 3.2 million deaths per year. 49% of medical students were physically inactive compared to 35% of non-medical students. ^4,5 Road traffic injuries are a noteworthy but forsaken epidemic. WHO has declared road traffic accidents (RTA) as the number one cause of death among those aged 15-29. India witnessed 31.3% of road traffic deaths among 15 to 29 years in 2011, as reported by the National Crime Records Bureau.⁶

Tobacco smoking and alcohol consumption are the major causes of cancers of the mouth and pharynx in developed countries. In recent years, in India, both in urban and rural, consumption of tobacco in the form of direct chewing of gutkha is alarmingly increasing significantly in young adults, which is a significant reason for the subsistence of oral cancer.6 The prevalence of self-reported ever-used tobacco in a study conducted in 2016 in Kerala was 7.4%, while that of ever-alcohol users was 5.6%.^7,8

Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD) is one of the most widespread social problems among young college students. A study in India finds that 46.8% were at increased risk of Internet addiction.⁹

Adolescents suffer from inadequate knowledge about sexual and reproductive health. Adolescents are at significant risk of experiencing negative consequences in their future lives owing to ignorance on matters related to the use of protection during sexual intercourse, STD, and HIV.¹⁰

The youth risk behavior survey system is a lengthy assessment developed by the CDC. A comprehensive, shorter version of risk behavior assessment among adolescents and youth is still lacking.¹¹ the present study tries to rapidly assess almost all risk behavior among young people through a shorter version of the risk behavior assessment questionnaire. This research explored the overall risk behaviors among college-going students in Gandhinagar.

Study Setting and Participants: A cross-sectional study was conducted among college-going students (aged 17–24 years) of both genders in undergraduate colleges in Gandhinagar city. Students who were unwilling to provide consent were excluded from the study.

Sample Size and Sampling: The required sample size was calculated as 420 using the hypothesis testing method with the following assumptions: a 95% confidence interval, an assumed prevalence of risk behavior among college students at 50%, a margin of error of 5%, and a 10% non-response rate. To achieve this, 42 students (both male and female) were proportionately and purposively selected from each of the following college categories: Science, Commerce, Arts, Engineering, Medical, Nursing, Pharmacy, Physiotherapy, Dental, and Administration.

Study Tool: A predesigned, semi-structured questionnaire was developed using the Youth Risk Behavior Scale.11 Following expert review, modifications were made, and a shorter version was finalized for data collection.

Data Collection: Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional ethics committee before initiating the study. Eligible participants were given an information sheet explaining the study’s purpose and procedures. Written informed consent was obtained from those who agreed to participate. Data was collected using a self-administered questionnaire, with participants assured confidentiality and anonymity to encourage accurate responses.

Statistical Methods: Data was entered and analyzed using Epi Info version 7. Descriptive statistics were used for analysis, including frequency and percentages.

Table 1 reveals that most students (60.2%) follow a vegetarian diet, while 39.8% consume a non-vegetarian diet. Encouragingly, 62.5% of students engage in regular physical activity, though a significant portion (37.5%) lead a sedentary lifestyle, which may have implications for their long-term health. These findings suggest that while dietary habits lean toward vegetarianism, there is a need to promote physical activity among the sedentary group to foster healthier lifestyles.

Table 1: Lifestyle and Dietary Patterns

Table 2 sheds light on risky behaviors and addictions prevalent among students. Substance use is notable, with alcohol consumption (22.4%) and smoking (15.8%) being the most common, while tobacco chewing (10.4%) and drug use (5.7%) are less frequent. Risky driving behaviors are also concerning, with 42.6% not wearing helmets and 37.2% using mobile phones while driving. Additionally, sexual risk behaviours such as unprotected intercourse (18.9%), multiple partners (12.3%), and regular pornography consumption (25.6%) indicate a need for awareness programs on safe practices and responsible behaviour.

Table 3 focuses on mental health and digital addiction trends, revealing significant challenges. Nearly half of the students (45.3%) experience high stress levels, while 30.2% report frequent anger or irritation. Depressive symptoms (25.8%) and suicidal thoughts (12.1%) further underscore the urgent need for mental health support. Digital addiction is also prevalent, with 55.4% using mobile devices for over 4 hours daily and 47.8% spending more than 4 hours online. Many students feel disconnected without internet access (40.7%) or panic when their phone battery is low (32.1%), highlighting the growing dependency on digital devices. 

Table 2: Risky Behaviours and Addictions

Table 3: Mental Health and Digital Addiction

The study highlights key lifestyle behaviors among young adults, focusing on diet, physical activity, substance use, risk-taking, and mental health. These findings offer valuable insights into patterns that, if unaddressed, could lead to long-term consequences.

Regarding dietary habits, 60.2% of participants followed a vegetarian diet, while 39.8% consumed non-vegetarian food. These choices reflect cultural influences and a shift towards fast-food consumption, seen in 28% of medical students in Kolkata who regularly ate fast food and 20% who consumed soft drinks frequently.¹² Similarly, a global study across 22 countries found that 40.2% of university students skipped breakfast, while 36.3% consumed fast food at least thrice weekly.¹³ These numbers indicate a growing preference for convenience over nutrition.

Regarding physical activity, 62.5% of participants exercised regularly, while 37.5% led a sedentary lifestyle. This aligns with findings from a broader study, where 33.4% of students were classified as physically inactive, with female students (39.1%) reporting higher inactivity levels than males (27.8%).13 The rise in inactivity, driven by urbanization and academic stress, underscores the need for structured exercise programs.

Substance use remains a concern, with 22.4% of participants consuming alcohol, 15.8% smoking, and 10.4% using tobacco in other forms. These figures are higher than a study in Kerala, where 7.4% reported ever smoking, and 5.6% had consumed alcohol.¹⁴

In contrast, South African adolescents reported 37.8% alcohol use and 26.3% smoking.¹⁵ These variations suggest that cultural and social factors significantly influence substance use among students.

Risky driving behaviors were widespread, with 42.6% of participants not wearing helmets while riding two-wheelers and 37.2% using mobile phones while driving. Additionally, 17.2% had engaged in drinking and driving, while 17.4% had been passengers in a car driven by someone under the influence. A study in Delhi found similar trends, with 16.7% of students engaging in risky road behaviors, including 20% not wearing seat belts and 37% texting while driving.¹⁶ These behaviors contribute to high rates of road traffic injuries, a leading cause of death among young adults.

Sexual risk-taking was notable, with 18.9% engaging in unprotected intercourse and 12.3% having multiple partners. Among street adolescents in Mumbai, 45.6% lacked knowledge of contraception, and 35.7% were already sexually active. ¹⁷ meanwhile, a study in Udupi found that 5.5% of adolescents were sexually active, with an average age of first intercourse at 16.8 years.¹⁴ These findings highlight the urgent need for comprehensive sexual health education.

Mental health challenges were significant, with 45.3% of participants reporting high-stress levels, 25.8% experiencing depressive symptoms, and 12.1% having suicidal thoughts. National data shows that 30% of college students felt so depressed that it was difficult to function.³ Additionally, professional students reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, likely due to academic pressures.³ Another global study linked severe depressive symptoms (14.5%) to obesity and substance abuse, emphasizing the complex relationship between mental and physical health.¹³

Digital addiction was another concern, with 55.4% of students spending over four hours daily on mobile devices and 40.7% feeling disconnected without internet access. A study in India found that 46.8% of college students were at risk of developing internet addiction.¹⁴ while technology has benefits, excessive screen time can negatively impact mental health, social interactions, and academic performance.

In conclusion, these findings highlight the need for targeted interventions addressing physical inactivity, substance use, risky driving, sexual health, and mental well-being.

Universities and policymakers must prioritize education, awareness, and behavior change programs to help young adults make healthier choices. Implementing structured interventions could significantly improve long-term health outcomes for this population.

The study has several limitations that should be considered while interpreting the findings. Firstly, the cross-sectional design limits the ability to establish causal relationships between risk behaviors and their influencing factors. Secondly, self-reported data may be subject to response bias, as participants might have underreported or overreported certain behaviors due to social desirability. The study was conducted in a single city, limiting its generalizability to other regions with different cultural and socio-economic backgrounds. Additionally, some risk behaviors, such as substance use and sexual activity, could have been affected by recall bias. Lastly, while efforts were made to ensure anonymity, students may have hesitated to disclose sensitive information, potentially leading to underestimating certain behaviors.

The findings of this study underscore the widespread prevalence of risk behaviors among college-going students in Gandhinagar, highlighting critical areas of concern, including physical inactivity, substance use, unsafe driving practices, high levels of stress, and excessive digital consumption. The results emphasize the need for holistic intervention strategies that promote awareness, behavior modification, and policy-level initiatives to ensure the well-being of young adults. Universities, policymakers, and healthcare professionals must collaborate to design programs encouraging healthier lifestyle choices, strengthening mental health support systems, and reinforcing road safety measures. Addressing these risk behaviors proactively can significantly contribute to fostering a healthier, more resilient student population, ultimately improving long-term health outcomes.

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