Stages of behavior change and habitual physical activity in college students

Abstract

Despite the well-documented health benefi ts of physical activity, many college students are not physically active on a regular basis. However, the university setting provides students with skills and knowledge about healthy lifestyles, especially in physical education and sport classes. The purpose of this study was (a) to provide descriptive data about stages of behavior change and habitual physical activity levels in representative sample of physical education and sports college students; and (b) to investigate the congruence between stage of behavior change and self-reported habitual physical activity levels in the college sample. A sample of 590 college students (270 girls and 320 boys) aged 18-35 years old were included in the study. Stages of behavior change for physical activity adoption was assessed with an algorithm based on transtheoretical model. The short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to assess the habitual physical activity. The results showed that grade level and period may play a signifi cant impact in habitual physical activity among college students of both gender. Stages of behavior change and habitual physical activity level were signifi cantly related to some socio-demographic variables, such as gender, age, economic status, habitation, time of work, overweight and tobacco use. The magnitude of sensitivity, specifi city and efficiency showed that the congruence between stage of behavior change and self-reported habitual physical activity levels is fragile, especially in girls. In conclusion, the fi ndings of study represent a fi rst step in better understanding the socio-demographic factors associated with the adoption of a regularly active lifestyle among physical education and sport college students. The results reveals that the stages of behavior change algorithm used in the study not is appropriate for to identify the levels of habitual physical activity and need to be further investigated in the college population.