Physical Activity Behavior of Rajapruk University Students and Related Factors

Abstract

The objectives of the research were to study : (1) personal factors (2) physical activity behaviors, and (3) relationship between personal factors and physical activity behaviors of both male and female Rajapruk University students. The descriptive cross-sectional design was used to investigate in target population of 18 – 24 years old Rajapruk University students. The formula of Kelsey et al. was used to calculate the sample size. A total of 674 samples were stratified random sampling. The instrument was a self-administered questionnaire consisting of 2 parts. Part 1 was personal factors questions of socio-demographic factor, body size factor and health behavior theoretical factor including body image factor, health behavior intention and self-efficacy factor with their Cronbach’s alpha coefficients of 0.791, 0.709 and 0.929 respectively. Part 2 was students’ physical activity behavior questions consisting of 3 patterns. Pattern 1 was sedentary behavior from waking up until going to bed (minutes). Pattern 2 was leisure time physical activity of heavy, moderate, and mild intensity in a week (minutes and times). Pattern 3 was healthy lifestyle contributing to physical activity (Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.848). Data were analyzed as frequency, percent, mean and standard deviation, Chi-square test, and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.

         The results were : (1) Personal factors: most of the students were female and doing full time job in a higher proportion than male ones and had body weight at the low level; about half of male students had risk of obesity at 2^nd level; most of the female students perceived their body image, health behavior intention, and self-efficacy at the moderate level in a higher proportion than male ones; part time and full time job and body mass index of male and female students were significantly different. (2) Physical activity behaviors: most of male and female students reported doing Pattern 1 at average 88 minutes and different significantly; doing Pattern 2 at every intensity not more than 30 minutes and not more than 3 times per week and not different significantly; and doing Pattern 3 at sometimes level in every activity and not different significantly; and (3) Relationships between personal factor and physical activity behaviors: body size factor and Pattern 2 at heavy intensity; body image factor and Pattern 2 at every intensity; health behavior intention factor and Patterns of moderate and mild intensity; and self-efficacy factor and Pattern 1, Pattern 2 at moderate intensity and Pattern 3.