Determinants of university students physical exercise: a study from Lebanon

Musharrafıeh, Umayya; Tamim, Hani; Rahi, Amal C.; El-Hajj, Maria Atoui; Al-Sahab, Ban; El‐Asmar, Khalil; Tamim, Hani

doi:10.1007/s00038-008-7037-x

Cited by 27 publications

(27 citation statements)

References 19 publications

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“…Lower prevalence was reported among college students in a Saudi Arabian study (45.8%) (Irwin, 2004). Only 26.4% of university students in a Lebanese study were engaged in physical exercise (Musharrafieh et al, 2008). About one-third of Chinese and Brazilian university students were physically inactive (Abdullah et al, 2005;Fontes and Vianna, 2009).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Lifestyle Practice among Malaysian University Students

Al-Naggar

Bobryshev

Noor

2013

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

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Background: It is well established that a healthy lifestyle is of benefit in the prevention of diseases such as cancer and promotion of well-being. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine lifestyle practice and associated factors among university students in Malaysia. Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted over six months from November 2011 until May 2012 among the students from the Management and Science University. This study was approved by its ethical committee , the students being explained the objective and invited to participate. A consent form was signed by all study participants. Questionnaire was distributed randomly to the students of the five faculties through their lecturers in different faculty. For univariate analysis t-test and ANOVA test were performed. Multiple linear regression used for multivariate analysis using SPSS 13.0. Results: A total number of 1100 students participated with a mean age of 22.1±2.21 (SD) years. The majority were 22 years or younger (56.3%), female (54%), Malay (61.5%), single (92.3%), with family monthly income ≥5000 Ringgit Malaysia (41.2%). Regarding lifestyle, about were 31.6% smokers, 75.6% never drank alcohol and 53.7% never exercised. Multivariate analysis showed that age, sex, race, parent marital status, participant marital status, type of faculty, living status, smoking status, exercise, residency, brushing teeth, fiber intake and avoid fatty food significantly influenced the practice of drinking alcohol among university students (p=0.006, p=0.042, p<0.001, p=0.003, p=0.002, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.003, p<0.001; respectively). It similarly showed that sex, race, parent marital status, participant marital status, monthly family income, exercise, residency, brushing teeth and fiber intake significantly influenced the practice of sun protection (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.017, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001; respectively) and that age, sex, parent marital status, participant marital status, type of faculty, living status, exercise, taking nonprescribed medication, brushing the teeth, coffee consumption and fiber intake were significantly influenced the practice of fruits consumption (p=0.008, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p=0.002, p<0.001, P<0.001; respectively). Conclusions: This study showed a poor practice of healthy lifestyle among university students. Therefore universities should emphasize a healthy lifestyle in all faculties as a required subject. Socio-demographic characteristics significantly influenced practice and thus should be considered when planning preventive measures among university students. Frequent campaigns and educational seminars are to be encouraged. Unhealthy practices, such as poor diet and smoking, are major causes of both cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Healthy practices, such as weight management, physical recreational activity and sleeping habits, have an impact on health status (Bellow and Breslow, 19...

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Lifestyle Practice among Malaysian University Students

Al-Naggar

Bobryshev

Noor

2013

Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention

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“…A few studies were carried out in universities, but they were limited to some private universities and focused on only one or two behaviours (Musharrafieh, Tamim, & Rahi, 2008;Tamim et al, 2003Tamim et al, , 2006Yahia, Achkar, Abdallah, & Rizk, 2008); the results obtained on Lebanon youth from these limited data were generally comparable with those found in other countries: high tobacco use (Tamim et al, 2003), low physical activity engaging , and frequent unhealthy eating habits (Tamim et al, 2006;Yahia et al, 2008). Our study aims at exploring a number of health risk factors and behaviours of young Lebanese adults, primarily focusing on preventable risky behaviours.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 84%

Assessment of health risk behaviours among university students: a cross-sectional study in Lebanon

Salameh

Jomaa

Issa

et al. 2012

International Journal of Adolescence and Youth

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There are insufficient data concerning health risk behaviours of university students in the Middle East, particularly Lebanon. Our objective was to identify health risk factors among university students in Lebanon, focusing on preventable behaviours. A crosssectional study was carried out, using a proportionate cluster sample of Lebanese students in public and private universities. A standardised questionnaire was distributed across university campuses. Data concerning socio-demographic characteristics, toxic substances consumption (including tobacco, alcohol and illicit drugs), nutrition and sedentarity behaviours, in addition to sexual behaviours, were collected. Among 3384 participants, 20% were current cigarette smokers, while 23% were current waterpipe smokers and 33.5% declared consuming alcohol. Higher rates were found for smoking and alcohol consumption in private versus public universities ( p , 0.001). Participants also reported a very low consumption of fruits and vegetables. Moreover, 31% of boys and 8.6% of girls declared having regular sexual activity; among them, 41% of boys and 26% of girls declared using a condom regularly. Substantial proportions of university students in Lebanon adopt risky behaviours for health, particularly in private universities. Health-promotion activities should be established to decrease the occurrence of these behaviours and prevent their future adverse health outcomes.

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“…Regarding other Arab countries, in Egypt only 11.3% of students at the University of Mansoura were physical inactive (21) and at the University of Alexandria one-third were physically inactive (27). In a Lebanese study about 26.4% of university students reported engaging in physical exercise (28). Elsewhere, about one-third of Chinese and Brazilian university students were physically inactive (29,30).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Assessment of physical inactivity and perceived barriers to physical activity among health college students, south-western Saudi Arabia

Awadalla

Aboelyazed

Hassanein

et al. 2014

East Mediterr Health J

103

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Physical inactivity is a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the pattern of physical activity, predictors of physical inactivity and perceived barriers to physical activity among health college students in King Khalid University. A total of 1257 students (426 males and 831 females) were recruited. The Arabic short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used. Overall, 58.0% of the students were physically inactive. Only 13.4% of the students performed vigorous physical activity, 14.8% moderate-intensity physical activity and 29.9% walking activities which met World Health Organization criteria of health-enhancing physical activities. The prevalence of inactive leisure time was 47.5%. The independent predictors of physical inactivity were nonmembership of sports clubs and being a medical student. The top reported barrier to physical activity among inactive students was time limitations (51.3%). Overcoming perceived barriers may increase physical activity among students.

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Determinants of university students physical exercise: a study from Lebanon

Abstract: The prevalence of physical exercise among Lebanese university students is low. Weight control remains the most important predictor of physical activity in males and females.

Cited by 27 publications

References 19 publications

Lifestyle Practice among Malaysian University Students

Lifestyle Practice among Malaysian University Students

Assessment of health risk behaviours among university students: a cross-sectional study in Lebanon

Assessment of physical inactivity and perceived barriers to physical activity among health college students, south-western Saudi Arabia

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