Changes in student physical health behaviour: an opportunity to turn the concept of a Healthy University into a reality

Haas, Julia; Baber, Michael; Byrom, Nicola; Meade, Laura; Nouri-Aria, K T

doi:10.1177/1757913918792580

Cited by 27 publications

(31 citation statements)

References 16 publications

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“…However, there are several factors that come into play throughout an individual’s lifetime that can either facilitate or impede a behaviour, with the transition from secondary education to university being a decisive moment [ 15 ]. It is at this time that young adults form their behavioural habits, so the role of Healthy Universities and the healthy habits they acquire at this stage are fundamental in maintaining this behaviour in the years to come [ 16 ].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Romero‐Blanco

Rodríguez‐Almagro

Onieva-Zafra

et al. 2020

IJERPH

419

310

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Regular physical activity is related to many factors in a university student’s environment. The coronavirus pandemic and the resulting lockdown have restricted many elements of our environment. The aim of this study was to evaluate students’ physical activity and sedentary behaviour at two points in time: before and during the coronavirus lockdown. As a secondary aim, we also wanted to look at changes resulting from other factors (alcohol, tobacco, diet, stages of change, symptoms of anxiety/depression and sociodemographic characteristics). We conducted an observational, cross-sectional, pre-post study with two cut-off points. Two hundred and thirteen students took part in the study. The main dependent variables were physical activity and sitting time, measured using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire—Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Parametric and non-parametric tests were used for paired and unpaired data, as well as group-stratified analysis. During lockdown, both weekly physical activity (MD: −159.87; CI: −100.44, −219.31) and weekly sitting time increased (MD: −106.76; CI: −71.85, −141.67). In the group analysis, differences were observed in relation to gender, year of study, BMI, alcohol consumption, tobacco use, symptoms of anxiety/depression, Mediterranean diet, living situation and stage of change. The results showed an increase in both physical activity and sitting time globally and by group.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Romero‐Blanco

Rodríguez‐Almagro

Onieva-Zafra

et al. 2020

IJERPH

419

310

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“…Although Peer reView the outcome of this study is limited to one university in the UK, the results are supported by studies of other universities around the world. 9,15,21,24,31 A sedentary lifestyle is defined as a type of lifestyle wherein an individual does not achieve regular and satisfactory levels of PA. Another important finding from our study is that an alarming proportion (88.5%) of university students spent ⩾4 h/day (not including hours siting at lectures) sedentary either on computing, gaming, social media or watching TV. while sitting down most of the day may seem unavoidable for students at university, physical inactivity has been shown to have negative health effects Figure 2 Physical activity pre-university and during university.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Although the outcome of this study is limited to one university in the UK, the results are supported by studies of other universities around the world. 9,15,21,24,31…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Studying biological science does not lead to adoption of a healthy lifestyle

Bhatti

Leidi

Leake

et al. 2019

Perspect Public Health

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Aims: The lifestyle and physical activity (PA) habits of young people play a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases at older ages. The current generation of biological science students at university holds promise for better future medicine and medical technology. However, their physical fitness and lifestyle are often ignored. Methods: Lifestyle, PAs and common risk factors for cardiovascular disease before, and at, university were collected from 408 students using self-completed, anonymous surveys between the academic years of 2017 and 2019 from the School of Biological Sciences, University of Reading. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS® 9.4 software. Results: Among the 408 participants, 134 were male and 274 were female with a mean ( SD) age of 19.6 (2.24). Approximately 19% of participants consumed alcohol beyond the safe limit of <14 units/week (112 g/week). Among them, 65% were males. Before university, 47% of students failed to meet the UK National Physical Activity Guidelines (NPAG) which increased to 56% during university with males exhibiting a steeper incline. Compared to their lifestyles before university, more students had insufficient sleep and displayed greater sedentariness during university. Moreover, 16% of students declared no engagement in PA which was greater than the value of 12% before university. Fitness perceptions worsened by 11% during university particularly for females. Statistical analysis revealed that gender, BMI and fitness perceptions were significantly correlated with PA levels. The most prevalent explanation for inadequacy in meeting NPAG was insufficient time. Conclusions: Compared to their pre-university lifestyles, biological science students at university are more likely to adopt unhealthier behaviours with less time for exercise and prolonged sedentary behaviours, which increases the risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is important to raise awareness of their fitness perceptions and to encourage health-promoting programmes at university.

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“…25 Using preventive initiatives, such as the ‘Healthy University’, a healthy lifestyle that was not formed in childhood can be actively implemented during this period. 26 The continued prevention of addictions remains very relevant. Students may study prevention themselves, as well as educate schoolchildren for whom they are an authority.…”

Section: University – Early Adulthoodmentioning

confidence: 99%

Prevention: From the cradle to the grave and beyond

Dendale

Scherrenberg

Копылова

et al. 2019

Eur J Prev Cardiolog

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Present cardiac prevention mainly focuses on risk reduction later in life, and focuses also mainly on reducing risk factors for coronary heart disease. However, multiple studies have gathered evidence that the development risk of cardiovascular disease starts early in life and that even preconceptional influences play an important role in lifetime risk. Therefore, the importance of well-timed prevention strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease is well established. In this article, we discuss different risk factors for future cardiac disease, and how we can respond to lesser known cardiac risk factors in the different stages of life.

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Changes in student physical health behaviour: an opportunity to turn the concept of a Healthy University into a reality

Cited by 27 publications

References 16 publications

Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Physical Activity and Sedentary Lifestyle in University Students: Changes during Confinement Due to the COVID-19 Pandemic

Studying biological science does not lead to adoption of a healthy lifestyle

Prevention: From the cradle to the grave and beyond

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