Physical activity patterns and dietary habits of undergraduate students

• Main Authors: EBENEZER ESSAW (Author), MONDAY OMONIYI MOSES (Author), DANIEL AFRIFA (Author), ISAAC KWAKU ACHEAMPONG (Author), WINIFRED MENSAH (Author), LEMUEL OWUSU (Author)
• Format: Book
• Published: Akademia Wychowania Fizycznego i Sportu w Gdansku, 2019-03-01T00:00:00Z.
• Subjects: article
• Online Access: Connect to this object online.

Summary

Background: ‪Data about physical activity report card for Ghanaian children and youth are available but reports on physical activity patterns and dietary habits of undergraduates are scarce. Material and methods: ‪This cross-sectional study sampled 278 participants (161 males, 117 females, mean age = 20.73 ± 1.72 years). Blood pressure, heart rate, physical activity patterns and dietary habits were measured. Results: ‪Most (83.1%) of the sample predominantly engaged in household activities. Time spent on treadmill/ cycling activities is significantly higher in females than males (P = 0.018). Day/week for high intensity sports was higher in males (P = 0.005), while household work was significantly higher in females (P = 0.032). Few people observed breakfast. There was poor consumption of soft drinks, vegetables, fresh fruits, dairy products, fast-foods, fried foods, and cake/biscuit twice/three times a week; 70.3% seldom consumed energy drinks; 49.8% ate the main meal daily. Males significantly had higher systolic blood pressure (SBP) (P = 0.014) and consumed fried foods habitually more often than females (P = 0.026). Conclusions: ‪Participants mainly involved in low physical activities and consumed less than recommended amounts of fruits and vegetables per week. Proactive and regular health-enhancing physical activity interventions would stimulate participation and healthy dietary habits of university students.

Item Description

10.29359/BJHPA.11.1.12
2080-9999