FORMATION THE MOTIVATING HIGHER EDUCATION STUDENTS TO LEAD A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

Abstract

The article examines one of the most pressing issues of contemporary society — the formation of a healthy lifestyleamong students. It constitutes a significant social and public health concern in Ukraine. The current unsatisfactory healthcondition of students is primarily attributed to reduced physical activity, unhealthy eating habits, exposure to harmfulbehaviors, and a lack of intrinsic motivation to pursue a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of this study is to analyse theattitudes of higher education students toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle and to identify effective approaches toenhancing their motivation for health-conscious behavior. To achieve this objective, a set of research methods wasapplied, including theoretical analysis (to examine the state of the problem within the normative framework of educationalcontent design), questionnaires, observation (to determine the level of individual engagement in health-related activities),modeling and design (to construct a model for motivating students to adopt healthy lifestyles). The results indicate thathigher education students generally demonstrate a positive attitude toward maintaining a healthy lifestyle. However, thediscrepancy between students’ theoretical awareness and their actual behavioral practices highlights an insufficient levelof motivation for implementing health-preserving behaviors.To overcome this inconsistency, the authors propose a model for motivating higher education students to lead ahealthy lifestyle. The model includes the following components: 1. Integration of the academic course Human Health andSafety. 2. Enrichment of selected biological course with health-oriented content (e.g., Age Physiology and SchoolHygiene, Human Anatomy, Human Physiology, Microbiology with the Basics of Virology, Genetics with the Basics ofSelection, etc.). 3. Implementation of thematic educational initiatives (e.g., celebrating World Health Day on April 7,engaging in various sports competitions, and organizing health-promoting events). The proposed model can serve as amethodological foundation for developing educational environments that foster students’ health culture, responsibility,and motivation for lifelong well-being.