José Francisco López‐GilSamuel Manzano-CarrascoJosé Adrián Montenegro-EspinosaMaría Mendoza-MuñozFiorella Quiroz-CárdenasAlejandro Lara-BocanegraAline Josiane WaclawovskyDébora TornquistAndréa Camaz DeslandesRodrigo Yáñez‐Sepúlveda2026-03-222026-03-22202510.21203/rs.3.rs-7521428/v1https://doi.org/10.21203/rs.3.rs-7521428/v1https://andeanlibrary.org/handle/123456789/84555<title>Abstract</title> <bold>Background: </bold>University students are at a critical stage for establishing healthy lifestyle habits, yet little is known about their adherence to integrated 24-hour movement guidelines that include physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep. The aim of this study was to examine the prevalence of adherence to the 24-hour movement guidelines and identify sociodemographic, anthropometric and mental or physical health conditions correlates among Spanish university students.<bold> </bold> <bold>Methods: </bold>This cross-sectional analysis included first-year students <italic>from Universidad Loyola Andalucía</italic>(Spain) participating in the UNIversity student’s LIFEstyle behaviors and Mental health (UNILIFE-M) study. Data were self-reported using validated questionnaires. Adherence was defined according to international recommendations for moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (≥150 min/week), screen time (≤3 h/day), and sleep duration (7–9 hour/night). Descriptive statistics, Venn diagrams, and robust logistic regression models were used to assess prevalence and correlates. <bold>Results: </bold>A total of 671 students (median age = 18 years; interquartile range [IQR] 18-19); 50.1% females) were included. Only 25.9% of students met all three 24-hour movement guidelines, while 7.0% met none. Adherence was significantly higher among males (odds ratio [OR] = 1.77; 95% confidence interval [95% CI] 1.21 to 2.59), and lower in older students (≥18 years old; OR = 0.58; 95% CI 0.37 to 0.90), those enrolled in non-health sciences programs (OR = 0.68; 95% CI 0.47 to 1.00); and those with mental health problems (OR = 0.27; 95% CI 0.09 to 0.65).<bold> </bold> <bold>Conclusions: </bold>Adherence to 24-hour movement guidelines is low among Spanish university students, particularly among females, older students, non-health sciences academic disciplines and mental health problems. Personalized interventions targeting high-risk groups are warranted to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors in this population.enMental healthLogistic regressionMedicineGerontologyAnthropometryDescriptive statisticsConfidence intervalBody mass indexInterquartile rangePsychologypreprint