Physical activity and life quality in students of the National University of Córdoba, Argentina

Abstract

Regular physical activity is highly effective in preventing many diseases. However, in our country, there is a low level of physical activity in students, with few data on the “Universidad Nacional de Córdoba (UNC)”. We analized the level and frequency of physical activity, sedentary lifestyle and toxic habits during 2022 in UNC students, and its relationship to self-perceived quality of life.

A cross-sectional, observational, descriptive and analytical study was performed in a population of UNC students, with information obtained through a GoogleForms survey distributed by Guarani system on all Faculties and on every years of study in August 2022. Sociodemographic data were obtained, Faculty of origin, year of study, Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), Diener's Life Satisfaction Scale, toxic habits and consumption of ultra-processed foods. Descriptive statistics were performed. Chi-square analysis and Spearman's correlation were performed, p<0.05 was considered significant. The study was approved by the CIEIS for Adults. There were no conflicts of interest for the authors.

734 students were included, 13 surveys were discarded due to inconsistent or incomplete data. The average age was 22.11 years (18-26), and 71% were women. 82.43% achieved at least the 600 METS-minutes/week recommended by the WHO for healthy activity, average 3731.93 (SD: 3063.92); those who do not achieved 195.35 (SD: 197.8). The men added more METS than the women (p=0.0316), and there were no differences on age nor year of study. Regarding toxic and eating habits, 67.71% reported consuming alcohol, 11.85% tobacco, 20.57% marijuana, with higher consumption in students after the third-year p<0.002, and 84.88% ultra-processed foods. A significant relationship was observed between the highest number of days of consumption of ultra-processed food with the lowest amount of METS (p=0.0038). 74.5% were satisfied with the life quality they presented. Students with a better self-perceived quality of life had a higher number of METS min/week (p<0.0001; Spearman's Rho: 0.18).

Based on these results, a positive correlation is observed between doing physical activity and having a higher self-perceived quality of life.