Background and Objective:
University students (US) face challenging times characterized by home detachment, identity exploration, academic demands, and additional stressors due to the current global situation that can negatively impact health. Health behaviors (HB) and health literacy (HL) are important resources for maintaining health. The objectives are to evaluate the current health status (HS), HB, and HL of US and to identify study-related and health behavior-related factors associated with HS and HL.

Methods:
A cross-sectional study was conducted at a University of Applied Sciences in Germany. Data were collected online between November 2020 and March 2022, using validated instruments to assess HS, HB and HL. HS, HB and HL were presented by descriptive statistics. Multiple linear regression analysis were performed to evaluate the associations between HS, HL, study-related and behavioral factors.

Results:
N= 550 participants (♀: 74%) were included. HS was positive, stress levels were high, sleep scores, physical activity, and HL were low. A high HS (p = <.004, adjusted R²: .254; f²: .34) was associated with male gender (b = .124, p =.031), higher life satisfaction (b = .050, p =<.001), better sleep (b = -.044, p =<.001) and nutrition (b = .016, p =.005). HL (p =.022, adjusted R²: .076; f²: .08) was positively associated with the target graduation ’master’ (b = .082, p =.051), better sleep (b = -.132, p =.004), healthy nutrition (b = .094, p =.031), lower alcohol intake (b = -.099, p =.017) and higher life satisfaction (b = .108, p =.022).

Conclusion:
Students perceive themselves as healthy but exhibit critical HB and low HL, revealing potential for health-promoting interventions. Universities can draw on existing resources to implement the measures efficiently.