Gender and race/ethnicity differences in occupational activity among students.

Occupational physical activity (OPA) is related to positive health outcomes and meeting overall physical activity recommendations. OPA participation typically varies across racial/ethnic groups and by gender, though little research has examined differences in OPA among college students. A cross-sectional, online survey of college students examined demographics and OPA. Participants (n = 3739) were predominately Non-Hispanic White (77.1%) and female (57.8%) aged 20.97 ± 1.52. Employed students reported greater total PA compared with non-employed students. Males reported significantly greater vigorous OPA, overall OPA, and total PA compared with females. Among employed students, OPA contributed significantly to overall PA levels. Males reported significantly greater OPA compared with females and there were several significant differences by race/ethnicity. Academic performance was related to OPA. These findings provide some insight on the OPA levels of a population group that has not been thoroughly examined.

Freshman physical activity constraints are related to the current health behaviors and outcomes of college upperclassmen.

ObjectiveExamine differences in physical activity (PA) constraints experienced as freshmen among college upperclassmen based on sex, race/ethnicity, adiposity, and fitness. Participants and methods: Upperclassmen (n = 524) from self-reported demographics, PA, subjective changes in PA, and freshman PA constraints via an online survey, and had adiposity and predicted aerobic fitness objectively assessed. Results: Self-reported reductions in PA since high school and freshmen year were associated with a lack of motivation as a freshman, lower current PA levels, and poorer aerobic fitness compared to those who maintained or increased PA. Women were less active than men and reported greater constraints, while non-Hispanic white students had greater vigorous PA than minority students. Multiple regression analyses revealed that motivation constraints predicted PA regardless of sex and race/ethnicity. Conclusions: Findings highlight the importance of college administrators and health promoters alleviating freshman PA constraints, particularly among women, to promote the adoption of an active lifestyle.

Assessing the stress-buffering effects of social support for exercise on physical activity, sitting time, and blood lipid profiles.

OBJECTIVE: This study tested the hypothesized stress-buffering effects of social support on physical activity, sitting time, and blood lipid profiles. PARTICIPANTS: 537 college students. METHODS: College students volunteered to self-report stress, social support for exercise, physical activity and sitting time, and provided blood samples to assess lipid profiles in this cross-sectional study. RESULTS: Lower stress was associated with higher vigorous physical activity (ß = -0.1, t = -2.9, p = .004). Higher social support was associated with higher moderate (ß = 0.2, t = 2.0, p = .042), vigorous (ß = 0.5, t = 5.4, p < .001), and total (ß = 0.1, t = 3.2, p = .001) physical activity, and lower sitting time on weekdays (ß = -0.1, t = -3.3, p = .001) and weekends (ß = -0.2, t = -3.6, p < .001). Social support moderated the association between stress and sitting time on weekdays. CONCLUSIONS: Stress reduction and fostering social support may be important strategies for promoting physical activity and reducing sedentary behaviors in college students. Additional strategies are needed to buffer the deleterious effects of stress.

Behavioral and Physiological Health-Related Risk Factors in College Students.

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavioral and physiological health-related risk factors in college students. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 1620 college students (21.3 ± 1.7 years, 897 males, and 723 females). Physical activity (PA), sitting time, body composition, cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF), muscular endurance (ME), and blood test were assessed. In the total sample, 15.2% were not meeting PA guidelines, 33% were sedentary, 13.3% were obese, 10.7% had low CRF, 36.8% had poor ME, 33.7% had dyslipidemia and 5.9% presented with prediabetes. Obesity and poor CRF were more prevalent in male students, whereas inactivity was more prevalent in female students. Individuals with poor CRF were more likely to be obese (odds ratio = 5.2, 95% CI = 3.5-7.8, P = .007 for male students, and 9.4, 95% CI = 1.5-57.8, P = .021 for female students). Sitting time positively correlated with fat percentage (fat%) and inversely with lean body mass (LBM) in male students, whereas ME inversely correlated with fat% and positively with LBM in female students. Although most students were active, significant prevalence of health-related risk factors were observed. Sedentary behavior and poor fitness were associated with a compromised body composition in both sexes. Improving fitness and reducing sedentary behavior in college students could be a public health strategy for health promotion and chronic diseases prevention.

Female college student weight perception discordance.

OBJECTIVES: Examine the prevalence of body weight perception discordance, and its relationship with physical activity and mental health among college women. PARTICIPANTS AND METHODS: Data were collected from a convenience sample of female undergraduates enrolled in general education health and wellness courses at a large, northeastern United States university (n = 1607) via direct email using previously validated measures that assessed: demographics; physical activity; weight goals and perceptions; mental health and sleep; and, physical activity enjoyment, self-efficacy, and goal setting. Analyses included one-way analysis of variance analyses and chi-square tests for independence. RESULTS: Though most women had accurate weight status perceptions (n = 987, 62.6%), there was a tendency to overestimate weight status (n = 482, 31.2%) that was associated with greater depressive symptoms. CONCLUSION: A relatively large minority of women demonstrated discordant weight status perceptions, which were associated with adverse mental health outcomes. Colleges should consider improving healthy weight status perception education among women to improve mental health.

Frequent restful sleep is associated with the absence of depressive symptoms and higher grade point average among college students.

OBJECTIVES: To examine how health behaviors and outcomes differ based on restful nights of sleep among college students. DESIGN: This is a cross-sectional study. SETTING: The study was conducted in a large, northeastern United States university. PARTICIPANTS: The participants include college students (n = 4376), the majority of whom were women (59.2%) and non-Hispanic white (76.1%). MEASUREMENTS: Students completed an online survey, self-reporting sex, height, weight, cumulative grade point average (GPA), physical activity (PA), fruit and vegetable consumption (FVC), substance use, and depressive symptoms, along with nights of restful sleep. Participants were grouped into those who had frequent (≥4 nights/week) or infrequent (<4 nights/week) nights of restful sleep. Analyses included independent sample t-tests, chi-square tests for independence, and logistic regression analyses to compute odds ratios. RESULTS: Parametric analyses indicated a significant, although unmeaningful, association between frequent restful sleep and PA and GPA, but not body mass index or FVC. Nonparametric analyses indicated a positive association between frequent restful sleep and the absence of depressive symptoms. Odds ratios revealed a positive association between the absence of depressive symptoms and GPA with frequent restful sleep. CONCLUSIONS: Findings indicate that restful sleep is associated with the absence of depressive symptoms and higher GPA among college students. Further research is required to examine the relationship, particularly directionality, between the amount of sleep and health behaviors and outcomes. Future researchers should consider using better measures of mental health, dietary quality, and objective measures of sleep and PA were possible. College administrators and health professionals should consider ways in which they can educate students about the benefits of sleep to mental health and academic performance.

Changes in Health Behaviors and Outcomes following Graduation from Higher Education.

The purpose of this study was to examine changes in health behaviors and outcomes of higher education (college) students following graduation. Undergraduate students (n = 206) enrolled at a large, northeastern United States university in general education health and wellness courses were assessed pre and post-graduation. Participants self-reported their demographics, physical activity behaviors, dietary behaviors, sleep, and stress pre and post-graduation via an online survey. Paired sample t-tests examined changes health behaviors pre and post-graduation. Following graduation, fruit and vegetable consumption increased significantly, moderate physical activity declined significantly, and both vigorous physical activity and energy expenditure, as well as weight remained stable. There was a significant reduction in stress, for men but not women, and, an increase in restful nights of sleep among women but not men. College students tended to maintain the seemingly healthy lifestyles they had as students during the period immediately following graduation. Findings highlight the value of general health and wellness courses within college given vigorous physical activity and energy expenditure did not decline following graduation.

Differences in college students' aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activities based on gender, race, and sexual orientation.

Aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activities are beneficial to both physical and mental health, though disparities in these behaviors exist based on social determinants. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in college students' aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening activities based on gender, race, and sexual orientation. Undergraduates enrolled in general education health and wellness courses at a large northeastern University in the United States responded to an online survey in August 2018 that assessed their demographics and physical activity behaviors. Differences in physical activity behaviors based on social determinants were examined using independent-samples t-tests and chi-square tests for independence. Less than half (40.3%) of participants (n = 606) met both aerobic physical activity and muscle-strengthening recommendations. No differences were found in physical activity based on sexual orientation. However, significantly more non-Hispanic white participants met aerobic physical activity (74.4% vs. 63.8%) and muscle-strengthening recommendations (47.2% vs. 37.6%); and, men reported significantly greater vigorous physical activity (p = .034, η2 = 0.01) and participation in muscle-strengthening activities (p < .001, η2 = 0.06), and were more likely to meet muscle-strengthening recommendations compared to women (50.8% vs. 41.4%). Findings demonstrate disparities in physical activity based on race and sex, particularly with respect to muscle-strengthening activities. Findings are of concern given the importance of muscle-strengthening activities to both physical and mental health. Colleges should consider ways in which they can facilitate increased participation of racial/ethnic minorities and women in muscle-strengthening activities.

Comparison of College Student Hypertension Prevalence between the JNC7 and ACC/AHA Diagnostic Criteria.

Hypertension is highly prevalent and associated with non-communicable diseases and increased premature mortality risk. However, the impact of the new hypertension diagnostic criteria on the prevalence of hypertension diagnoses has yet to be examined among college students. The purpose of this study was to compare the prevalence of hypertension between the JNC7 and the ACC/AHA hypertension diagnostic criteria among college students. The blood pressure of 5,945 college students was assessed, and chi-square tests for independence examined differences between JNC7 and ACC/AHA criteria. The mean age of participants was 21.30 ± 1.05 years, and the majority identified as men (60.5%). Men were found to have significantly higher systolic (p < .001, η 2 = .10) and diastolic (p < .001, η 2 = .04) blood pressure, so all analyses were separated by sex. Hypertension guideline changes resulted in significant changes in hypertension categorization of both men, χ 2 = 7,178, p < .001, Φ c = .816 and women, χ 2 = 4,670, p < .001, Φ c = .816. Under the JNC7 guidelines, 292 (8.2%) men and 67 (2.8%) women were hypertensive. Using the ACC/AHA guidelines, 1455 (40.5%) men and 521 (22.3%) women were hypertensive. Hypertension guideline changes resulted in a significant increase in the prevalence of hypertension among college students, highlighting the potential demand for targeted prevention programs focused on fostering healthy lifestyle behaviors, i.e. physical activity and healthy eating, among students.

Objective vs self-report assessment of height, weight and body mass index: Relationships with adiposity, aerobic fitness and physical activity.

Researchers, policymakers and clinicians commonly use height and weight to determine body mass index (BMI) and classify weight status. Self-report measures are widely used but often result in misreported height and weight and, consequentially, underestimation of BMI and-potentially-weight status misclassification. The purpose of this study was to examine differences in objective and self-reported height, weight and BMI values and to find whether discordance is associated with other anthropometric measures, fitness and physical activity. Data were collected from college students through: (a) a pre-consultation online questionnaire where participants self-reported gender, height and weight; (b) an objective fitness assessment that assessed height, weight, body fat percentage, abdominal girth and predicted aerobic fitness; and (c) a post-assessment electronic survey that assessed physical activity. Parametric and non-parametric analyses examined differences between groups. Objective and self-reported height and weight data were collected from 1061 participants, 224 of whom also provided physical activity data. Women significantly under-reported weight (P = .003, η2 = 0.02), and both genders over-reported height (P < .001, η2 ≥ 0.07), resulting in a significant difference between BMIs calculated using the different measures (P < .001, η2 ≥ 0.07) and the weight status misclassification of ~15% of participants. Significant differences were found in anthropometrics, fitness and physical activity based on reporting differences for weight (P ≤ .015) and BMI (P ≤ .015). Students demonstrated a tendency to under-report weight and over-report height, resulting in weight status misclassification. Those who under-reported weight tended to be in poorer health as indicated by lower aerobic fitness and higher abdominal girth and body fat percentage in particular. Further research is required to establish the link between under-reporting weight and over-reporting physical activity.

Technology-Based Physical Activity Self-Monitoring Among College Students.

Understanding the relationship between college students' physical activity (PA) self-monitoring and PA levels has the potential to inform initiatives to promote PA. This study's purpose was to examine the prevalence of technology-based self-monitoring among college students the potential relationship between device usage, goal setting behaviors, PA enjoyment, and PA levels. An online survey assessed students' demographics, current PA level, technology-based PA self-monitoring, and psychosocial outcomes. Independent t-tests examined differences in PA level and psychosocial outcomes by device use. 55.5% of the final sample (N=1,154) reported technology-based self-monitoring. Mobile phone app-based PA tracking was the most commonly reported (29.9%), followed by heart rate monitors (23.1%). Device use was significantly related to vigorous PA and psychosocial outcomes. Findings have the potential to inform development of technology-based interventions that promote student PA.

College Student Work Habits are Related to Physical Activity and Fitness.

Despite the known benefits of regular physical activity, research shows a significant decline in physical activity participation and an increase in sedentary behavior during young adulthood during the college years. Studies examining the relationship between academic outcomes and fitness/physical activity have not extensively examined this among college students. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between fitness measures (cardiovascular endurance, muscular endurance, flexibility and body composition), physical activity, and academic outcomes in college students. This cross-sectional study had college students complete a one-time fitness assessment and survey examining their physical activity and academic factors (GPA, study habits, course load). Correlations examined relationships between fitness, physical activity and academic outcomes, t-tests compared differences for fitness and behavioral outcomes between groups by academic factors. The final sample (n=512) was 50.4% male, 78% Non-Hispanic White, and 67% upperclassmen. The majority (76%) of participants reported meeting current PA guidelines. Hours of studying and social media use were both positively associated with body fat. Course load was negatively associated with vigorous activity. Study time was negatively associated with cardiovascular endurance, positively associated with hip flexibility and sedentary behavior. Higher GPA was associated with a higher BMI and a higher credit load was associated with less vigorous physical activity. These findings indicated that academic outcomes and physical activity may have a different relationship among college students compared with younger age groups. This study provides insight for the development of future campus-based health initiatives to have a shared focus of academic outcomes and physical activity.

The Relationship of Living Environment with Behavioral and Fitness Outcomes by Sex: an Exploratory Study in College-aged Students.

Although physical activity (PA) is associated with several health benefits, there is a marked decline during college years, which is an influential period for the development of health behaviors. This study examined the relationship of neighborhood and living environment with behavioral (PA and sedentary behavior) and fitness outcomes by sex. Participants were college students that participated in a fitness assessment, followed by a survey that measured self-reported exercise and perception of one's environment (sidewalks, crime, traffic, access to PA resources in their neighborhood and/or apartment complex). Pearson correlations examined the relationship between behavioral (moderate and vigorous PA, sedentary behavior, active travel) and fitness outcomes (VO2max, percent body fat, body mass index, push-ups, curl-ups, blood lipids and glucose) with environmental measures separately by sex. Among participants (n=444; female=211, male n=234) environment was significantly related to PA and fitness, with noted differences by sex. For males, seeing others exercising in the neighborhood and in their apartment complex, using neighborhood bike lanes, crime and the number of PA resources at their apartment complex were associated with behavioral and fitness outcomes. Among females, sidewalks in the neighborhood, seeing others exercising, using neighborhood bike lanes and number of PA apartment complex resources were significantly correlated with fitness and behavioral outcomes. These findings suggest a possible relationship between students' objectively measured fitness and their environment for PA. Future implications include the development of policies to create student housing that supports physical activity and expansion of campus wellness initiatives to off-campus locations.