scholarly journals Active Commuting to University and its Association with Sociodemographic Factors and Physical Activity Levels in Chilean Students

Medicina ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 55 (5) ◽  
pp. 152 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Carolina Cruz León ◽  
Emilio Villa-González ◽  
Ximena Palma Leal ◽  
Palma Chillón ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Economic Status ◽  
Personal Data ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Main Mode ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The University

Background and Objectives: Active commuting to and from university (ACU) could be a strategy to increase physical activity levels (PA) and promote health in young university students. We aimed to a) examine the patterns of commuting to university in Chilean students; b) the association between the mode of commuting to and from university and socio-demographic factors and PA-levels. Materials and Methods: A total of 496 university students (21.6 ± 2.4 years old) from two universities from Valparaíso (central coast of Chile) participated in this study. Personal data, home address, socio-economic status, PA, and the usual mode of commuting to and from the university were self-reported by a questionnaire. The commute distances were objectively measured using Google-Maps-software. Associations were examined using binary logistic regressions. Results: The main mode of commuting was by bus (to university: 55.2% vs. from university: 59.3%; p < 0.001). The least used mode was cycling (1.4% to and from university). Students living >5-km from university were less active commuters than those living in closer distances: (2–5 km, odds ratio (OR): 4.424, 95% and 95% confidence intervals (CI): 2.443–8.011, p < 0.001; 2 km, OR: 143.052, 95% CI: 55.154–371.030, p < 0.001). Students with low PA-levels were less active commuters than those with medium (OR: 1.446; 95% CI: 0.864–2.421; p = 0.160) or higher levels (OR: 1.880; 95% CI: 1.880–1.094; p = 0.022). Students who lived between 2 and 5 km, presented a significant association to be active commuters when they showed medium PA-levels (OR: 5.244, 95% CI: 1.358–20.246; p = 0.016). Conclusions: Chilean university students from Valparaíso are mainly passive commuters using public transport as the main mode of commuting to and from university; longer distances from home to the university are associated with low PA levels. ACU in distances between 2–5 km (mainly walking) could contribute to having medium PA-levels in Chilean university students. Thus, promoting the ACU walking to and from the university in such distances could be an effective strategy to increase the overall PA levels in Chilean university students.

scholarly journals Investigation of the relationship between smart phone addiction and physical activity in university students

2020 ◽  
Vol Supplement 1 (1) ◽  
pp. 63-73
Author(s):  
AYŞE NUMANOĞLU-AKBAŞ ◽  
SINEM SUNER-KEKLIK ◽  
HATICE YAKUT
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
University Students ◽  
Short Form ◽  
Smart Phone ◽  
Smartphone Addiction ◽  
Moderate Physical Activity ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The University ◽  
The Relationship

Background: The purpose of this research was to determine the university students’ characteristics regarding smartphone usage and physical activity and to investigate the relationship between smart phone addiction and the physical activity levels. Methods: A total of 288 (female=159 and male=129) students were involved in this observational study. Smartphone usage characteristics of the participants were recorded. The short form of the Smartphone Addiction Scale was used to assess their smartphone addiction, and the short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess their physical activity levels. Results: It was found that 37.7% of the females and 27.9% of the males were at risk of smartphone addiction. There was no difference between the males and females in terms of smartphone addiction (p>0.05). There was no difference in the physical activity levels of the participants regardless of smartphone addiction (p>0.05). A weak negative correlation was found between smartphone addiction and moderate physical activity score (r=-0.126, p=0.047). Conclusion: According to this study, the university students showed inadequate levels of physical activity and were at risk of smartphone addiction. Considering the negative correlation between smartphone addiction and moderate physical activity, access to physical activity facilities in universities should be facilitated, and awareness on this issue should be increased.

Active Commuting and Sociodemographic Factors Among University Students in Spain

2014 ◽  
Vol 11 (2) ◽  
pp. 359-363 ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Molina-García ◽  
James F. Sallis ◽  
Isabel Castillo
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Energy Expenditure ◽  
Low Socioeconomic Status ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Main Mode ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Mode Of Transport ◽  
The University

Background:Commuting to university represents an opportunity to incorporate physical activity (walking or biking) into students’ daily routines. There are few studies that analyze patterns of transport in university populations. This cross-sectional study estimated energy expenditure from active commuting to university (ACU) and examined sociodemographic differences in findings.Methods:The sample included 518 students with a mean age of 22.4 years (59.7% female) from 2 urban universities in Valencia, Spain. Time spent in each mode of transport to university and sociodemographic factors was assessed by self-report.Results:Nearly 35% of the students reported walking or biking as their main mode of transport. ACU (min/wk) were highest for walkers (168) and cyclists (137) and lowest for motorbike riders (0.0) and car drivers (16). Public transport users, younger students, low socioeconomic status students, and those living ≤ 2 km from the university had higher energy expenditure from active commuting than comparison groups. Biking was highest among those living 2–5 km from the university.Conclusions:Our findings suggest that active commuting and public transit use generated substantial weekly energy expenditure, contributed to meeting physical activity recommendations, and may aid in obesity prevention.

scholarly journals Mode of Commuting to School and Its Association with Physical Activity and Sedentary Habits in Young Ecuadorian Students

2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (12) ◽  
pp. 2704 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yaira Barranco-Ruiz ◽  
Alfredo Guevara-Paz ◽  
Robinson Ramírez-Vélez ◽  
Palma Chillón ◽  
Emilio Villa-González
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Central Region ◽  
School Setting ◽  
Daily Physical Activity ◽  
Self Report ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Active Commuting ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
Older Adolescents ◽  
Commuting Distance

Active commuting to and from school (ACS) could help to increase daily physical activity levels in youth; however, this association remains unknown in Ecuadorian youth. Thus, the aims of this study were (1) to determine the patterns of commuting to and from school and (2) to analyze the associations between ACS, physical activity (PA), and sedentary habits in Ecuadorian youth. A total of 732 students (65.3% males), aged 10–18 years (children = 246, young adolescents = 310, older adolescents = 162) from the central region of Ecuador participated in this study. A self-report questionnaire, including the usual mode and frequency of commuting, distance from home to school (PACO-Questionnaire), and PA and sedentary habits (YAP-Questionnaire), was used. Most of the sample lived ≤2 km from school; however, they were mainly passive commuters (96%). The most common mode of commuting was by car (to school = 43.4%, from school = 31.6%; p < 0.001). Children presented significantly higher scores (0–4) in PA outside school and total PA compared with older adolescents (2.20 ± 0.97 vs. 1.97 ± 0.96; p = 0.013 and 2.30 ± 0.76 vs. 2.09 ± 0.74, p = 0.019, respectively), as well as the lowest scores in sedentary habits (1.51 ± 0.65, p < 0.001). PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS (OR 3.137; 95% CI, 1.918 to 5.131; p < 0.001, and OR 2.543; 95% CI, 1.428 to 4.527; p = 0.002, respectively). In conclusion, passive modes of transportation were the most frequently used to commute to and from school in young Ecuadorians. PA at school and total PA were positively associated with ACS. Thus, interventions at school setting could be an opportunity to improve PA levels and additionally ACS in youth from the central region of Ecuador.

scholarly journals Nutrient Intake, Physical Activity Levels, and Metabolic Status in Australian University Biomedical Students

2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 1404-1404
Author(s):  
Linda Gallo ◽  
Karen Moritz ◽  
Lisa Akison
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Medical Research ◽  
Research Council ◽  
Medical Research Council ◽  
Nutritional Intake ◽  
Biomedical Science ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Science Students ◽  
Physical Activity Levels ◽  
The University

Abstract Objectives This study aimed to assess nutritional intake, physical activity levels and their association to metabolic health in a cohort of university biomedical science students. Methods This study followed a cross-sectional design. Participants were recruited from a third-year endocrinology practical class from The University of Queensland (2018–2019), with complete data obtained from 324 students, aged 19–25 years (n = 196 females and 128 males of which 57% were Caucasian, 28% Asian, 7% Subcontinental Asian, 6% of mixed race or other, and 2% not disclosed). Nutritional intake was quantified using the Automated 24 h dietary assessment Tool (ASA24-Australia) and physical activity levels quantified using the Active Australia Survey. Results Mean height and body mass (±SD) was 164.36 cm (±6.85) and 60.0 kg (±10.6) in females and 178.1 cm (±7.41) and 73.4 kg (±11.5) in males. Median daily energy intake was 6760 kJ in females and 10,338 kJ in males. The following nutrients had a low percentage of female and/or male students meeting the minimum recommendations: fibre (24% of females and 30% of males), calcium (16% of females and 32% of males), folate (32% of females, 59% of males), iron (6% of females, 80% of males), and potassium (33% of females and 32% of males). In females, median daily intake was well below recommendations for calcium (621 vs 1000 mg) and iron (8.8 vs 18 mg). Sufficient level of physical activity, defined as at least 150 minutes over at least five sessions in one week, was met in 82% of females and 85% of males. Conclusions These results suggest that undergraduate biomedical science students in Australia have inadequate intakes of fibre, calcium, folate, and potassium, with a particular concern regarding the very low intake of calcium and iron among young adult females. Associations to metabolic health, including blood glucose control, insulin sensitivity, advanced glycation end products, and body composition are currently being analysed. Funding Sources The study was funded by institutional support from School of Biomedical Sciences, The University of Queensland, Australia. L.A.G. was supported by an Early Career Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council and Heart Foundation (Australia), and a UQ Amplify Fellowship. K.M.M was supported by a Senior Research Fellowship from the National Health and Medical Research Council.

scholarly journals Pedometer-determined physical activity among primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur

2019 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 115-123
Author(s):  
Bee Suan Wee ◽  
Awang Bulgiba ◽  
Abd. Talib Ruzita ◽  
Mohd. Noor Ismail ◽  
Bee Koon Poh
Keyword(s):  
Physical Activity ◽  
Primary School ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Activity Level ◽  
Activity Levels ◽  
Kuala Lumpur ◽  
Daily Step ◽  
Step Counts ◽  
Primary Schoolchildren ◽  
Physical Activity Levels

Objective: The aim of this study was to objectively measure physical activity and its association with sociodemographic factors among Malaysian primary school-age children. Methods: A total of 111 primary school children in Kuala Lumpur were selected through random sampling. Activity pattern was determined using pedometers and differences by sex, ethnicity and body mass index categories were analysed. The relationship between pedometer-determined physical activity and sociodemographic factors were also studied. Results: Overall, boys attained significantly higher daily step counts than girls (9573 ± 4145 vs 7313 ± 2697). Significant difference in daily step counts between boys and girls were observed during weekdays ( p<0.01), weekends ( p<0.05) and total mean step counts ( p<0.01). Malay ethnicity showed higher daily step counts during weekdays than weekends ( p<0.05). Compared with boys, girls had higher odds (OR=5.58; 95% CI 1.12, 27.77) of not meeting the recommended daily step counts. Those who had low physical activity levels had higher odds (OR=15.75; 95% CI 1.78, 139.33) of not meeting recommended daily step counts than children who had moderate physical activity level. Conclusion: Boys were significantly more active than girls and physical activity was greater during weekdays than on weekends. The primary schoolchildren in Kuala Lumpur were sedentary, with minimum physical activity being observed. Differences in sexes and physical activity levels influenced pedometer step counts in children.

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