Researchers in Iran are tracking how university life affects students’ health over three years. They’re looking at eating habits, sleep, smoking, stress, exercise, and weight to see what changes happen during college. Starting with 426 students, scientists will check their health, ask about their lifestyle, and run blood tests to understand how college impacts future disease risk. This study could help universities create programs to keep students healthier and help them succeed academically while preventing serious health problems later in life.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How college life changes students’ health habits and disease risk factors over their first three years of university
  • Who participated: 426 newly arrived Iranian university students, ages 18 and older, with follow-ups planned for years two and three
  • Key finding: This is a study protocol (the research plan), not yet completed results. The study will track changes in diet, sleep, smoking, mental health, exercise, and body measurements to identify concerning patterns
  • What it means for you: If you’re a college student, this research may eventually help your school create better health programs. Results aren’t available yet, but the study could show which health habits change most during college and how to prevent problems

The Research Details

This is a prospective cohort study, which means researchers will follow the same group of students over time and watch how their health changes. In year one (December 2024 to February 2025), researchers collected basic information through questionnaires about what students eat, how much they sleep, whether they smoke, their stress levels, and how much they exercise. They also measured students’ height, weight, blood pressure, and waist size. Blood tests checked blood sugar levels, liver and kidney function, and cholesterol.

In year two, researchers will check in again with similar questions about lifestyle. In year three, they’ll repeat all the measurements and blood tests to see what changed over the three years. This approach lets scientists see patterns in how college affects health, rather than just taking a snapshot at one moment in time.

The researchers carefully trained observers, checked their work regularly, and used quality control measures to make sure the information was accurate. They started with 383 participants and added 43 more to account for people who might drop out.

Following students over three years is important because it shows real changes that happen during college, not just guesses. By measuring the same people multiple times, researchers can see which health habits change the most and which students are at highest risk for future health problems. This information helps universities know where to focus health programs.

This study has several strengths: it includes physical measurements and blood tests (not just asking students questions), researchers were trained and supervised, and data quality was carefully checked. The study is still ongoing, so results aren’t available yet. The sample size of 426 is reasonable for this type of research. One limitation is that it only includes Iranian students, so results may not apply to all college students worldwide.

What the Results Show

This is a study protocol, meaning the research plan has been published but the actual results haven’t been collected yet. The study began collecting information in December 2024 and will continue through 2027. Therefore, there are no findings to report at this time. Once the study is complete, researchers will analyze how students’ eating habits, sleep patterns, smoking, mental health, exercise, and body measurements changed over the three years.

The study will also examine blood sugar levels, liver and kidney function, and cholesterol changes. These secondary measurements will help researchers understand whether lifestyle changes lead to early signs of disease risk. The study will look at whether certain groups of students (for example, those studying medicine versus other fields) experience different health changes.

Previous research shows that college students often gain weight, sleep less, exercise less, and experience more stress than they did in high school. This study will provide detailed information about Iranian students specifically and track exactly when and how much these changes happen. It will help confirm whether patterns seen in other countries apply to Iranian students.

The study only includes Iranian students, so results may not apply to students in other countries with different cultures and healthcare systems. The study focuses on newly arrived students, so it may not represent all college students. Some students may drop out before the study ends, which could affect results. The study doesn’t include students who were already in college before the study started.

The Bottom Line

This is a study protocol, so specific recommendations aren’t available yet. However, when results are published, college students should watch for findings about which health habits change most during university. Universities may use these findings to create better health programs. Students interested in their health should track their own eating, sleep, exercise, and stress levels during college.

College students, especially those in health-related programs, should care about this research. University administrators and health program directors should pay attention because results could help them design better student health initiatives. Parents of college students may also find the results helpful. This research is less relevant for people who aren’t in college or who have already graduated.

The study will collect data through 2027, so complete results won’t be available for several years. Preliminary findings from the first year may be published sooner. Any health changes from recommendations based on this research would likely take weeks to months to notice, depending on the specific habit.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track three key health habits weekly: (1) average sleep hours per night, (2) number of days exercising for 30+ minutes, and (3) servings of fruits and vegetables eaten daily. Compare your numbers month-to-month to see if college is changing your habits
  • Set one specific goal based on this research: if you’re sleeping less than 7 hours, aim to add 30 minutes of sleep per night. If you’re exercising less than 3 days per week, add one exercise session. If you’re eating few vegetables, add one vegetable to one meal daily
  • Use the app to log these three habits every week for the entire semester. At the end of each semester, review your trends to see if your health habits are improving or declining. Share results with a friend or roommate for accountability. If you notice concerning changes (like gaining weight or feeling more stressed), talk to your campus health center

This article describes a research study protocol, not completed research results. The study is currently ongoing and no final results are available yet. This information is for educational purposes only and should not be used to diagnose, treat, or prevent any disease. If you have health concerns, please consult with a healthcare provider. College students should speak with their campus health center about personalized health recommendations. The findings from this study, when available, will provide general information about student health patterns and should not be considered medical advice for individual students.