University students’ physical features- reasons, consequences, solutions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2023.0607Keywords:
physical potential, opinions, attitudes, wellbeingAbstract
Background and Study Aim. Despite the growing concern about sedentary behaviors among the youth, there has been limited focus on understanding their impact. These behaviors significantly affect students' physical potential, productivity, and overall health. The aim of this study is to investigate the effects of sedentary lifestyles on students and to assess their awareness and attitudes towards these behaviors. Material and Methods. A mixed method of investigation was applied, combining preliminary quantitative research with a qualitative analysis of results. A total of 247 students were measured and tested: 122 males and 125 females, with an average age of 19.3±0.7. The anthropometric parameter focused on was body mass index. The physical test applied was the standing long jump. Students' responses from narrative essays were the basis of the qualitative analysis. The quantitative data collected through measurements and physical tests were directly compared to standards. Results. It was found that 24.5% of young men are overweight or obese. The performance of women in physical tests was lower than average, bordering on poor. Students provided their insights on these findings. Their narrative essays were qualitatively analyzed and synthesized, focusing on the reasons, consequences, and potential solutions related to this issue. Conclusions. This study adds evidence to the limited literature investigating university students' attitudes, opinions, and contexts that contribute to a decrease in their physical potential. The current generation of university students is unmotivated to consistently devote time and energy to physical activities. The comments and insights from students have provided potentially beneficial information for decision-makers in the domains of health education, overweight prevention, and physical activity promotion.References
de la Haye K, Dijkstra JK, Lubbers MJ, van Rijsewijk L, Stolk R. The dual role of friendship and antipathy relations in the marginalization of overweight children in their peer networks: The TRAILS Study. PLoS ONE, 2017;12(6): e0178130. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0178130
WHO. Physical activity [Internet]. 2023 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/physical-activity
French P, Crabbe M. Fat China. How expanding waistlines are changing a nation. London; New York: Anthem Press; 2010
WHO. Global Nutrition Report. [Internet]. 2018 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.who.int/nutrition/globalnutritionreport/2018Global_ Nutrition. _Report.pdf
Bencsik A, Horvath-Csikos G, Juhasz T, Csanadi A. Healthy lifestyle and behavior of Z Generation. Journal of Eastern European and Central Asian Research (JEECAR), 2019;6(2): 297–308. https://doi.org/10.15549/jeecar.v6i2.269
The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World [Internet]. 2020 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: http://www.fao.org/3/ca9692en/CA9692EN.pdf
Lee IM, Shiroma EJ, Lobelo F, Puska P, Blair SN, Katzmarzyk PT. Effect of physical inactivity on major non-communicable diseases worldwide: an analysis of burden of disease and life expectancy. The Lancet, 2012;380(9838): 219–229. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0140-6736(12)61031-9
Sigmundova D, Chmelik F, Sigmund E, Feltlova D, Frömel K. Physical activity in the lifestyle of Czech university students: Meeting health recommendations. European Journal of Sport Science. 2013;13(6):744–50. https://doi.org/10.1080/17461391.2013.776638
Porras J, Heikkinen K, Kinnula M, Sørensen LT, Hennala L, Melkas H, et al. User 2020: A WWRF Vision. [Internet]. 2014 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.wwrf.ch/files/content%20wwrf/publications/outlook/Outlook14.pdf
European Obesity Day. [Internet]. 2019 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://insp.gov.ro/sites/cnepss/wpcontent/uploads/2016/05/02-Analiza-de-situatie-ZEIO-2019-FINAL-APR.pdf
Fildes A, Charlton J, Rudisill C, Littlejohns P, Prevost AT, Gulliford MC. Probability of an Obese Person Attaining Normal Body Weight: Cohort Study Using Electronic Health Records. Am J Public Health. 2015; 105(9):e54–9. https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2015.302773
Pop CL. Overweight and obesity risk assessment – two methods, different results. Physical Education of Students, 2016;3:53–57. https://doi.org/10.15561/20755279.2016.03
"Obesity in Romania (ORO)” - Prevalence of obesity and risk factors for obesity in the adult population in Romania. [Internet]. 2014 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.mediafax.ro/stiinta-sanatate/studiu-obezitatea-in-romania-mai-frecventa-la-barbati
Keating CL, Moodie ML, Swinburn BA. The health-related quality of life of overweight and obese adolescents – a study measuring body mass index and adolescent-reported perceptions. International Journal of Pediatric Obesity, 2011;6(5–6): 434–441. https://doi.org/10.3109/17477166.2011.590197
Burr JF, Jamnik RK, Baker J, Macpherson A, Gledhill N, McGuire EJ. Relationship of physical fitness test results and hockey playing potential in elite-level ice hockey players. J Strength Cond Res. 2008;22(5):1535–43. https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318181ac20
Hede C. PE Senior Physical Education for Queensland. UK: Oxford University Press. 2011.
Bardi M. Learning the practice of scholarly publication in English – A Romanian perspective. English for Specific Purposes, 2015;37: 98–111. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.esp.2014.08.002
Swales JM. Research Genres: Explorations and Applications.. 1st ed. Cambridge University Press; 2004. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139524827
Deliens T, Deforche B, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Clarys P. Determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in university students: a qualitative study using focus group discussions. BMC Public Health, 2015;15(1): 201. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-015-1553-4
Chatterjee A, DeVol RC. Waistlines of the world the effect of information and communications technology on obesity. [Internet]. 2012 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: http://assets1b.milkeninstitute.org/assets/Publication/ResearchReport/PDF/Waistlines-of-the-World.pdf
WHO, European Commission. Romania. Physical activity factsheet. [Internet]. 2018 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.euro.who.int/en/health-topics/disease-prevention/physical-activity/data-and-statistics/physical-activity-fact-sheets/physical-activity-country-factsheets/romania
Thomson Peter JL. Introducing to Coaching. The Official IAAF Guide to Coaching Athletics. IAAF: UK; 2009.
Wilkinson DJ, Piasecki M, Atherton PJ. The age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass and function: Measurement and physiology of muscle fibre atrophy and muscle fibre loss in humans. Ageing Research Reviews, 2018;47: 123–132. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.arr.2018.07.005
Arundell L, Fletcher E, Salmon J, Veitch J, Hinkley T. A systematic review of the prevalence of sedentary behavior during the after-school period among children aged 5-18 years. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 2016;13(1): 93. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12966-016-0419-1
Gortmaker SL, Must A, Perrin JM, Sobol AM, Dietz WH. Social and Economic Consequences of Overweight in Adolescence and Young Adulthood. New England Journal of Medicine, 1993;329(14): 1008–1012. https://doi.org/10.1056/NEJM199309303291406
Li J, Akaliyski P, Schäfer J, Kendall G, Oddy WH, Stanley F, et al. Non-linear relationship between maternal work hours and child body weight: Evidence from the Western Australian Pregnancy Cohort (Raine) Study. Soc Sci Med. 2017; 186:52-60. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.05.046
Suhrcke M, de Paz Nieves, Carmen. The impact of health and health behaviours on educational outcomes in high-income countries: a review of the evidence. [Internet]. 2011 [updated 2023 Jun; cited 2023 Sep 28]. Available from: https://www.euro.who.int/en/publications/abstracts/impact-of-health-and-health-behaviours-on-educational-outcomes-in-high-income-countries-the-a-review-of-the-evidence
Sierra-Díaz MJ, González-Víllora S, Pastor-Vicedo JC and López-Sánchez G.F. Can We Motivate Students to Practice Physical Activities and Sports Through Models-Based Practice? A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Psychosocial Factors Related to Physical Education. Front. Psychol. 2019;10:2115. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2019.02115
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
License
Copyright (c) 2023 Cristiana Lucretia Pop, Viorela Popescu, Rela Ciomag, Cristina Filip, Cristina Nae
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Copyright Holder - Author(s). more
Abstract views: 642 / PDF downloads: 622
