Level of physical activity and related factors among university students in the health field: A longitudinal study

Abstract

Physical inactivity ranks fourth among the main risk factors for mortality worldwide. The objective of this study was to relate changes or increases in level of physical activity to socioeconomic and lifestyle variables in a six-month period among university students in the health field. This is a longitudinal research involving 167 university students in the health field in northeastern Brazil. The questionnaire "Physical Activity and Health Map" [Mapa de Atividade Física e Saúde] (MAFIS) was used as an instrument. Data were analyzed by means of descriptive statistics, as frequency and percentage, of a Chi-square test and, subsequently, with the designing of a logistic regression model. The results show that the university students who answered that they were "barely able" to wake up an hour earlier to do physical activity were 78% protected (OR: 0.217; CI: 0.056-0.83) against engaging in LEIPA compared to those who consider themselves "quite capable". It is concluded that willingness to wake up 1 hour earlier is related to exercising in a six-month period among university students in the health field.