Associação entre comportamentos de risco para a saúde e fatores sociodemográficos em universitários de educação física

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyze the association between risk behaviors for health and sociodemographic factors of physical education college students. The sample was 403 students of Physical Education at an university in north-central, Parana, Brazil. An inquiry for socio-demographic characterization of the participants and the National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) was used as instruments. The data was analyzed using Chi-square 2x2 test and risk was evaluated using Odds Ratio using p<0.05 as statistical significance criteria. The results did show that the main risk behaviors for health were related to the dissatisfaction with weight, safety and violence, inadequate nutrition, alcohol consumption and sexual risk behavior, with prevalence exceeding 80%. The risk factors were related to being male, to study in the evening, have lower economic income and being single, whilst protective factors were to be in the start of graduate course, have a religion, and parents with higher scholar levels. Being an athlete in childhood and adolescence has served as a risk factor for some behaviors and protective for others. It was concluded that factors related to health risk behaviors are: being male, single, to be at the end of graduate course, to study in the evening, have no religion, lower economic income, and parents with lower education.