ERIC Number: EJ794294
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2008
Pages: 6
Abstractor: Author
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0744-8481
EISSN: N/A
Available Date: N/A
Prevalence of Sufficient Physical Activity among Parents Attending a University
Sabourin, Sharon; Irwin, Jennifer
Journal of American College Health, v56 n6 p680-685 May-Jun 2008
Objective: The benefits of regular physical activity are well documented. However, approximately half of all university students are insufficiently active, and no research to date exists on the activity behavior of university students who are also parents. Participants and Methods: Using an adapted version of the Godin Leisure Time Exercise Questionnaire (i.e., the Physical Activity Prevalence Questionnaire), the authors examined the prevalence of sufficient physical activity among 245 parent students from 6 faculties and 12 programs. Results: Half (49.5%) of the students who were not parents (n = 90) were sufficiently physically active, compared with 16% of students who were parents (n = 3, p less than .002). The authors found that 33.3% of parents and 13% of nonparents limited their activity level as a result of illness or injury (p less than .05). Conclusions: Most parent students in this study were insufficiently active and at potential risk for the negative health consequences of inactivity. This is a grossly understudied population, and researchers must conduct further studies to understand what can be done to facilitate physical activity among this potentially vulnerable group of students. (Contains 1 table.)
Descriptors: Physical Activities, Leisure Time, Incidence, Physical Activity Level, Measures (Individuals), Questionnaires, College Students, Parents, Comparative Analysis, Risk, Physical Health
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A
Author Affiliations: N/A