Objective: Data from a longitudinal study were used to examine health changes among students in health profession disciplines. Methods: In the summer semesters of 2021 and 2022 a baseline survey (T0) was conducted among students in health-related professions at a university in Germany. Participation in the online survey was voluntary and took place during the period of remote learning. The follow-up survey (T2) was conducted at the end of the degree program in the summer semesters of 2023 and 2024. In addition to sociodemographic data, health-related features were assessed using selected indicators: self-rated health status, height and weight, diseases, self-rated mental well-being, physical activity, tobacco and alcohol consumption, dietary habits and health literacy. To analyze changes between T0 and T2, the McNemar test, Fisher’s exact test, Wilcoxon test and Student’s t‑tests for paired samples were applied. Results: Complete longitudinal data were available for 33 students, corresponding to a follow-up rate of 33.7%. Over the course of the study program, a significant increase in the proportion of students classified as overweight or obese was observed. Dietary patterns also significantly deteriorated and a higher frequency of medical diagnoses was reported. In contrast, self-rated health remained largely stable. Conclusion: The university phase represents a critical period in the development of health-related behavior. Over the course of the study program, significant changes were observed in key health indicators. Despite these developments, self-rated health remained largely stable, suggesting a potential discrepancy between the objective health status and individual perception. These findings highlight the need for targeted health promotion strategies as well as for structural support systems within higher education institutions and future workplaces. © The Author(s) 2025.
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