[Leisure-time physical activity of first-year students in 3 health science departments].
BACKGROUND
Physical inactivity is a well-known risk factor for many chronic diseases which have high prevalence in developed countries. The aims of this study are to describe leisure-time physical activity levels and to identify preferences for its practice among first grade students in three Health Sciences Faculties at the University of Barcelona.


METHODS
During the year 1994-95, a total of 887 first grade students of three Faculties, Pharmacy (n = 573), Medicine (n = 222) and Dentistry (n = 92), were interviewed using a recall of their leisure time physical activity over last 8 months. Physical activity level was classified into four categories: non-active, low, medium and high, based on the number of hours per week. Statistical methods consisted in the estimation of rates, comparisons using the chi-square test, and computing the odds ratio.


RESULTS
Women were 75% of students. Fifty per cent of men and 71.5% of women referred to be non-active or having low physical activity level (chi 2 = 36.8; DF = 3; p < 0.0001), being no evidence of association with current smoking or overweight (Body Mass Index > or = 25). Among the rest of students, men's most frequently reported activities were football, swimming and tennis, and those of women's were swimming, aerobic and tennis.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity level among first grade health sciences university students is poorly exemplary. More physical activity promotion is needed, particularly to female students, as an important primary preventive measure among this group.
Mora i Ripoll
R
R
Departament de Salut Pública i Legislació Sanitária, Universitat de Barcelona.
Fuentes i Almendras
M
M
Sentis i Vilalta
J
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016017:Odds Ratio; D005082:Physical Exertion; D012737:Sex Factors; D013030:Spain; D013177:Sports; D013335:Students, Dental; D013336:Students, Health Occupations; D013337:Students, Medical; D013339:Students, Pharmacy
Actividad física durante el tiempo libre del alumnado de primer curso en tres facultades de Ciencias de la Salud.