Physical activity patterns and dietary habits of undergraduate students

Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity

卷:11

DANIEL AFRIFA¹  MONDAY OMONIYI MOSES¹  ISAAC KWAKU ACHEAMPONG¹  WINIFRED MENSAH¹  EBENEZER ESSAW¹  LEMUEL OWUSU¹ 

[1] Department of Sports and Exercise Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health Sciences, Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology;

关键词: exercise;    nutrition;    health behaviour;    obesity;    gender;    public health;   

DOI  :  10.29359/BJHPA.11.1.12

来源: DOAJ

【 摘 要 】

Background:‪Data about physical activity report card for Ghanaian children and youth are available but reports on physical activity patterns and dietary habits of undergraduates are scarce. Material and methods:‪This cross-sectional study sampled 278 participants (161 males, 117 females, mean age = 20.73 ± 1.72 years). Blood pressure, heart rate, physical activity patterns and dietary habits were measured. Results:‪Most (83.1%) of the sample predominantly engaged in household activities. Time spent on treadmill/ cycling activities is significantly higher in females than males (P = 0.018). Day/week for high intensity sports was higher in males (P = 0.005), while household work was significantly higher in females (P = 0.032). Few people observed breakfast. There was poor consumption of soft drinks, vegetables, fresh fruits, dairy products, fast-foods, fried foods, and cake/biscuit twice/three times a week; 70.3% seldom consumed energy drinks; 49.8% ate the main meal daily. Males significantly had higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = 0.014) and consumed fried foods habitually more often than females (P = 0.026).Conclusions:‪Participants mainly involved in low physical activities and consumed less than recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables per week. Proactive and regular health-enhancing physical activity interventions would stimulate participation and healthy dietary habits of university students.

【 授权许可】

Unknown