AWARENESS, KNOWLEDGE AND PERCEPTION ABOUT PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AMONG COLLEGE STUDENTS

Khan Meraj Farooque and Dr. Srabani Bhattacharya*

ABSTRACT

This cross-sectional study was conducted among 184 college students who have taken admission in colleges in different branches of the state of Maharashtra, India. The age of the participants were 18+ years. Total number of respondents were 184. Among them 45.7% male and 54.3% female. Out of 184 students 58.7% were from the medical branch, 18.5% from engineering, 10.9% commerce 2.7% arts and 9.2% were from other branches. 77.7% were residing at home and 22.3% at hostel. Regarding obesity 22% responded as yes, 50% of the father were obese, 45.1% of their mothers were obese and siblings 25.6 %. In the family of the student 35% had cardiovascular diseases, 16.5% had suffered a stroke, it 3.5% high blood pressure (BP). About osteoporosis 22.8% of the family members was suffering. 58.2% of their family members suffered from metabolic syndrome. Among the participants 26.1% was suffering from anxiety for a long time and 8.2% currently diagnosed. 1.6% of the respondents were vegan, 34.8% vegetarians, 15.2% vegetarian with egg and non vegetarian 48.4 %. 78.8% of the correspondence consume junk food. Regarding the sleeping hours among the respondents 18.5% had < 6 hours of sleep per day, 59.6% had 6 to 8 hours per day and > 8 hours per day what 12.1%. Regarding the physical activity of the student yoga/meditation 35.7% commerce gym 33%, cardio exercises 44.3% and 36.5% were involved in other indoor sports. The respondent screen time was < 1 hours 19.6%, 1 to 2 hours 49.5%, 3-5 hours 23.9% and >5 hours screen time 7.1%. Regarding the importance of physical activity more vigorous attempts to promote physical activity recommendations are needed.

Keywords: Physical activities, College students, Awareness.