Lifestyles are related to the habits acquired by a subject in the course of his life, which are reinforced by repetitive behaviors and intentional routines that are the result of learned situations. The university context leads to situations that lead to the adoption of inappropriate lifestyles, due to exposure to factors such as: the increase of academic activities and social interaction, individual conditions of subjects in addition to gender-related social stereotypes; poor diet; reduced leisure time and physical activity; alcohol and tobacco consumption; management of stress and anxiety arising from academic and psychosocial pressure. PURPOSE: To establish the relationship between the lifestyle in young university students, using gender as an analysis to identify possible differences in this population. METHODS: Quantitative cross-sectional study. The sample consisted of 894 university students (effect size of 0.3, an alpha error of 0.05 and a power of 80%) from the cities at Bogotá and Bucaramanga. To establish significant differences between gender, the ANOVA test was applied with a significance level of p≤0.005, in addition to identifying OR with significance of p≤0.005. The lifestyle was evaluated by means of the "Healthy Lifestyle Questionnaire - CEVS", with a Cronbach alpha of 0.81. RESULTS: Overall results are lower in women (123.05±13.7) than in men (120.03±14). Men perform physical activity (PA) at least 20 min daily (OR:4.2 p=0.000), perform PA in order to improve health (OR:3.5 p=0.000). Alcohol consumption in women is lower (OR:4.1 p=0.000). Women consume higher portions of fruits and vegetables (OR:2.5 p=0.001). Women have a perception that they always have extra pounds (OR:3.1 p=0.000). CONCLUSION: The behavior of lifestyles is differential in university men and women, men have greater risk of poor diet and the presence of addictions and women to physical inactivity and negative perception of their body. This implies that the gender approach has to be taken into account in health promotion actions.