The intensities of various forms of physical activity in physical education programs offered by universities for female students

Abstract Aim: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of various forms of physical activity (PA) among female students in physical education (PE) programs offered by universities in Poland, Hungary, and the United Kingdom. Methods: Two hundred full-time female university students (mean age: 19.93±0.82) enrolled in various PA programs. The participants' anthropometric traits were measured, and their body composition parameters were determined with the InBody analyzer. Based on the students' physiological parameters, the effectiveness of various types of PA was measured with Suunto Ambit3 peak heart rate monitors during 60 minutes of physical exertion. Results: The average values of body mass index (BMI), body fat mass (BFM), percent body fat (PBF), waist-hip ratio (WHR), visceral fat level (VFL), and obesity degree were significantly (p<0.05) lower among students who participated in jogging followed by sauna (JFBS), performed martial arts and attended general physical education (PE) classes. Physiological parameters were the highest in the martial art group, followed by JFBS and swimming groups, and they were significantly (p<0.05) higher than the values recorded in other PA groups (golf, aerobics, general PE classes, cycling, and individual training). Physiological parameters were significantly (p<0.05) lower among students who played golf and trained individually. Conclusions: Martial arts, JFBS, and swimming were the most effective types of PA among female university students. Students performing martial arts and JFBS had relatively lower body fat levels, whereas students who practiced swimming had the highest body fat levels in the population sample.

Comparison of eating attitudes among university students from the five Brazilian regions / Comparação das Atitudes Alimentares entre universitárias das cinco regiões brasileiras

Eating attitudes can be defined as beliefs, thoughts, feelings, behavior and relationship with food. They can influence people's food choices and health status. The scope of this paper is to compare eating attitudes of university students from different regions of Brazil and investigate possible associations and correlations with nutritional status, age, individual income and parental education. 2489 female university students in the area of health answered the Eating Attitude Scale - evaluated by total score and 5 sub-scores. The eating attitudes were compared by means of an analysis of covariance. A logistic regression was conducted to evaluate which variables were associated to the scale score. The Northeast presented more restrictive and compensatory practices and the North and Northeast presented less positive feelings about food and worse ideas about normal eating. The score on the scale did not present strong correlation with any of the variables studied, but nutritional status and age were associated with the total score. The profile of university students was similar among regions with the worst response in the North and Northeast regions. It is believed that these data could help to elucidate dietary patterns and nutritional differences among groups.

Atitudes alimentares são crenças, pensamentos, sentimentos, comportamentos e relacionamento com os alimentos e influenciam as escolhas alimentares e a saúde dos indivíduos. Objetivo: comparar atitudes alimentares de universitárias brasileiras das cinco regiões do país e avaliar associações e correlações com o estado nutricional, curso, idade, renda e escolaridade do chefe da família. Métodos: 2489 universitárias do sexo feminino de cursos da área da saúde responderam à Escala de Atitudes Alimentares - analisada em escore total e suas 5 subescalas. As respostas foram comparadas por região através da análise de covariância. Uma regressão logística foi realizada para avaliar quais variáveis estavam associadas à pontuação da escala. Resultados: a região Nordeste apresentou mais práticas restritivas e compensatórias e as regiões Norte e Nordeste menos sentimentos positivos em relação à alimentação e os piores conceitos sobre alimentação normal. Os escores não apresentaram forte correlação com as variáveis estudadas; mas o estado nutricional e a idade tiveram associação com a pontuação total. Conclusão: As atitudes alimentares de universitárias foram similares entre as regiões, com pior resposta na região Norte e Nordeste. Estes resultados podem ajudar a elucidar padrões dietéticos e diferenças nutricionais entre regiões do país.

Eating behavior and body image among psychology students / Comportamento alimentar e imagem corporal entre estudantes de Psicologia

OBJECTIVE: To characterize eating habits and possible risk factors associated with eating disorders among psychology students, a segment at risk for eating disorders. METHOD: This is a cross-sectional study. The questionnaires Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh (BITE), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26), Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) and a variety that considers related issues were applied. Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.0 was utilized in analysis. The study population was composed of 175 female students, with a mean age of 21.2 (DP ± 3.6 years). RESULTS: A positive result was detected on the EAT-26 for 6.9 percent of the cases (CI95 percent: 3.6-11.7 percent). The prevalence of increased symptoms and intense gravity, according to the BITE questionnaire was 5 percent (CI95 percent: 2.4-9.5 percent) and 2.5 percent (CI95 percent: 0.7-6.3 percent), respectively. According to the findings, 26.29 percent of the students presented abnormal eating behavior. The population with moderate/severe BSQ scores presented dissatisfaction with corporal weight. CONCLUSION: The results indicate that attention must be given to eating behavior risks within this group. A differentiated gaze is justified with respect to these future professionals, whose practice is jeopardized in cases in which they are themselves the bearers of installed symptoms or precursory behavior.

OBJETIVO: Caracterizar práticas alimentares e possíveis fatores de risco associados a transtornos do comportamento alimentar entre estudantes de Psicologia, segmento de risco para o surgimento de transtornos alimentares. MÉTODO: Estudo seccional utilizando-se os questionários Bulimic Investigatory Test Edinburgh (BITE), Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) e Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ), utilizando-se, ainda, uma variável que considera os dois primeiros instrumentos associados, sendo a análise feita através do Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 11.0. Foram analisadas 175 estudantes do sexo feminino, com uma média de idade de 21,2 (DP ± 3,6 anos). RESULTADOS: Detectou-se resultado positivo em 6,9 por cento (IC95 por cento: 3,6-11,7 por cento) no EAT-26. No BITE, para sintomas elevados e gravidade intensa, foram encontradas prevalências de 5 por cento (IC95 por cento: 2,4-9,5 por cento) e 2,5 por cento (IC95 por cento: 0,7-6,3 por cento), respectivamente. Constatou-se que 26,29 por cento das estudantes apresentavam comportamento alimentar anormal. A população com escores moderado/serevo no BSQ apresentou insatisfação com o peso corporal. CONCLUSÃO: Os resultados indicam que se deve atentar para comportamentos alimentares de risco nesse grupo, justificando-se um olhar diferenciado em relação a esses futuros profissionais, cujas práticas ficam comprometidas nos casos em que os mesmos são portadores de síndromes instaladas ou comportamentos precursores.

Inasistencia a la consulta de despistaje de cáncer de cuello uterino en estudiantes universitarias

No disponemos de estudios que reporten la cuantía y razones de la inasistencia de la estudiante universitaria a la consulta de pesquisa del cáncer de cuello uterino.Dada la alta asociación entre el virus del papilomahumano y el cáncer del cuello uterino, nos propusimos determinar la prevalencia de la inasistencia a la consulta de este despistaje en la Universidad de Carabobo, Bárbula, con la participación de 400 estudiantes universitarias, evaluadas entre enero y julio de 2006. Se realizó un estudio de corte transversal,encontrando una edad mediana de 21 años y rango intercuartil = 19 y 23 años. El 68 % niega haber acudido a la consulta. El 64 % afirmó haber tenido relaciones sexuales y el 54 % afirma conocer que es una citología cervical exfoliativa. Concluimos que la prevalencia de la inasistencia a la consulta de despistaje de cáncer de cuello uterino fue elevada. Existe una falta de información clara y adecuada sobre la importancia de esta prueba en las mujeres de dicha comunidad. Las entrevistadas formulan propuestas para incrementar la asistencia a la consulta ad hoc.

There are not studies of the quantity and reasons of the non attendance by the female univerisity students to the cervix cancer screening program. As the association between the human papilloma virus and the cervix cancer is high, we decide to determine the prevalence of nonattendance to this screening program in the Carabobo University, Barbula, Venezuela, where 400 students participated between January to July 2006. A cross sectional, study was made. Median age was 21 years old,interquartile range 19 to 23 years old. While 68 % denies to have gone to the consultation, 64 % affirmed to have had sexual relationships and 54 % affirms to know whata cervix exfoliative cytolology is. As conclusions, the prevalence of non attendance is high. There is not clear and adequate information about this test in this community. The interviewed students propose ways to encourage the visit to the cervix screening program.

Apartar la mente del cuerpo: un acercamiento a los pensamientos y sentimientos de las estudiantes universitarias trabajadoras sexuales / Separating mind and body: an approach to the thoughts and feelings of female university students/sexual workers

Partiendo de la visión de estudiantes universitarias que son trabajadoras sexuales, este artículo aborda el significado que para ellas tiene dedicarse a este tipo de labor. Objetivo: comprender los significados que sobre su trabajo tienen las estudiantes universitarias trabajadoras sexuales, lo que piensan y sienten de él. Metodología: se partió de la investigación cualitativa con el uso de técnicas etnográficas, utilizando instrumentos de recolección de información como la entrevista, el diario de campo y la revisión documental. Resultados: la vida cotidiana de las estudiantes universitarias trabajadoras sexuales gira alrededor de su vida familiar, universitaria y laboral, recurriendo a la práctica de apartar la mente de su cuerpo para no sucumbir ante sentimientos de tristeza o decepción.

This article takes into account the vision of female university students who are also sexual workers and the meaning that job has for them. Objective: to understand the meaning that sexual job has for female university students/sexual workers, what they think and feel about it. Methodology: qualitative research was the starting point using ethnographical techniques such as the interview, the field diary and documental revision. Results: the daily life of female university students/sexual workers goes around their family, university and work, where they separate mind from body as a mechanism of emotional protection to avoid sadness and deception.