Document Type : Original Article
Authors
Department of Family and Population Health, Isfahan Province Health Center, Isfahan, Iran
Abstract
Background: Reduced level of physical activity, as an important problem of urbanization and
industrial development, has a considerable impact on the population morbidity and mortality.
The rate of inactivity has been reported to be 60–85% in adults worldwide. Considering the
importance of physical activity among youth, the aim of this study was to evaluate the physical
activity among university students. Materials and Methods: In this cross-sectional study
physical activity was assessed in 399 medical and public health students of Isfahan University
of Medical Sciences, Iran. Physical activity was evaluated by standard questionnaire in four
fields containing job, transport, work, and leisure time at home. Findings: Regarding moderate
physical activity, 48.6% of students were active and the rest were inactive. Regarding severe
physical activity, 32.6% were active and the rest were inactive. Mean number of hours for
moderate activity per day was 1.96 ± 0.19 h/day in the last 7 days. There was a significant
relationship between physical activity and sex and students’ course of study. Conclusion: The
results indicated that the level of physical activity was not sufficient among students; therefore,
considering its importance among students, it is necessary to educate them regarding lifestyle
modification specially to increase the level of physical activity during their leisure time.
Keywords
21. 2002. p. 50.
2. Sheikholeslam R. Prevent of non- communicable diseases.
Pejouhesh 2002;4:4-6.
3. Azizi F. Life style modification for Prevent non- communicable
diseases. Iran J Endocrinol Metab 2002;4:3-5.
4. Sheikholeslam R. Cancer, physical activity and diet. J Feed World
2002;21:8-10.
5. Taharok Ramze Salamati. Available from: http://www.irteb.com/
sportmedical/taharok.htm. [Last accessed on 2011 Feb 04].
6. Rafipour F. Special techniques in social sciences research. Tehran:
Sherkate Sahamie Enteshar; 2002.
7. Sadeghi K, Bashtam M, Sarraf-Zadegan N, Khalili A, Majlesi GR,
Alikhassi H. Physical activity and sports in Isfahan population. Iran
J Public Health 2000;29:45-9.
8. Irwin JD. Prevalence of university students’ sufficient physical
activity: A systematic review. Percept Mot Skills 2004;98:927-43.
9. Mazloomi SS, Ehrampoosh MH, Asgarshahi M, et al. Yazd University
of medical science Students’ Perspective toward Exercise. J Res
Med 2001;3:213.
10. Baradaran M, Barzanjeatri SH, Seidi S. Physical activity and
Youth, research in medicine, Special congress Prevent noncommunicable diseases. Tehran: Shahid Beheshti University of
Medical Science; 2002.
11. Hawkins SA, Cockburn MG, Hamilton AS, Mack TM. An estimate
of physical activity prevalence in a large population-based cohort.
Med Sci Sports Exerc 2004;36:253-60.
12. Hatami H, Razavi M, Eftekhar Ardebili H, Majlesi F, Seyed Noozadi M,
Parizadeh MJ. J. adeh MJ. MJ.deh MJ..h M Tehran: Arjmand; 2004.