The aim of this study was to analyze the life orientation of college students in terms of risk behaviors to health. There was the participation of 403 students of Physical Education in the project, from a university in the northwest of the State of Paraná. The instruments used were the Life Orientation Test, the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey and a form with the demographic data. As for data analysis, we applied the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Kruskal-Wallis and Mann-Whitney U (p<0.05). The results showed that: more optimistic students have a self-perception as being healthy individuals (p=0.001); they live with a spouse (p=0.022); they had sexual intercourse (p=0.001); they used seat belts in the front seat (p=0.044) and in the back seat (p=0.041); they did not ride with a drunk driver (p=0.015); they did not carry a gun (p=0.003); they were not involved in fights (p=0.010); they did not consider a suicide attempt (p=0.004) and they ate salad (p=0.005). We conclude that optimistic students adopt preventive and healthier behaviors, and establish bonds
Health psychology; Risk behavior to health; Students in health sciences
