title: Assessment of physical inactivity and perceived barriers to physical activity among health college students, south-western Saudi Arabia.
abstract: Physical inactivity is a public health problem in Saudi Arabia. A cross-sectional study was carried out to evaluate the pattern of physical activity, predictors of physical inactivity and perceived barriers to physical activity among health college students in King Khalid University. A total of 1257 students (426 males and 831 females) were recruited. The Arabic short form of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used. Overall, 58.0% of the students were physically inactive. Only 13.4% of the students performed vigorous physical activity, 14.8% moderate-intensity physical activity and 29.9% walking activities which met World Health Organization criteria of health-enhancing physical activities. The prevalence of inactive leisure time was 47.5%. The independent predictors of physical inactivity were non-membership of sports clubs and being a medical student. The top reported barrier to physical activity among inactive students was time limitations (51.3%). Overcoming perceived barriers may increase physical activity among students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: N J
authors.initials: NJ
authors.lastname: Awadalla
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia; Department of Community Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Mansoura, Mansoura, Egypt.
authors.forename: A E
authors.initials: AE
authors.lastname: Aboelyazed
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hassanein
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: S N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Khalil
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Aftab
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: I I
authors.initials: II
authors.lastname: Gaballa
authors.affiliation: Department of Family and Community Medicine, College of Medicine, King Khalid University, Abha, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A A
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Mahfouz
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D015438:Health Behavior; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009042:Motivation; D009043:Motor Activity; D012449:Safety; D012529:Saudi Arabia; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D017678:Sex Distribution; D013177:Sports / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013336:Students, Health Occupations / Q000523:psychology / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult