title: Determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in university students: a qualitative study using focus group discussions.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  College or university is a critical period regarding unhealthy changes in energy related behaviours in students. The first objective of this explorative study was to identify determinants of physical activity and sedentary behaviour in Belgian university students. Secondly, we aimed to collect ideas and recommendations to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviours in university students.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a semi-structured question guide, seven focus group discussions were conducted consisting of 17 male and 29 female university students from a variety of study disciplines, with a mean age of 20.7 ± 1.6 yrs. Using Nvivo9, an inductive thematic approach was used for data analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Students reported that both physical and sedentary activities were influenced by individual factors (e.g. perceived enjoyment, self-discipline, time and convenience), their social networks (e.g. (lack of) parental control, modelling, social support), physical environment (e.g. availability and accessibility, travel time/distance, prices), and macro environment (e.g. media and advertising). Furthermore, the relationships between determinants and university students' physical activity and sedentary behaviour seemed to be moderated by university characteristics, such as residency, university lifestyle, exams and academic pressure. Recommendations for future physical activity interventions include improving information strategies regarding on-campus sports activities, cheaper and/or more flexible sports subscriptions and formulas, including 'sports time' into the curricula, and providing university bicycles around campus. Students also believed that increasing students' physical activity might decrease their sedentary behaviour at the same time.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The recommendations and ideas discussed in this study may facilitate the development of effective and tailored (multilevel) intervention programs aiming to increase physical activity and decrease sedentary behaviours in university students.
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biometry and Biomechanics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. Tom.Deliens@vub.ac.be.
authors.forename: Tom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Deliens
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biometry and Biomechanics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. Benedicte.Deforche@vub.ac.be.|Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. Benedicte.Deforche@vub.ac.be.
authors.forename: Benedicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Deforche
authors.affiliation: Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Watersportlaan 2, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. ilse.debourdeaudhuij@ugent.be.
authors.forename: Ilse
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: De Bourdeaudhuij
authors.affiliation: Department of Human Biometry and Biomechanics, Vrije Universiteit Brussel, Pleinlaan 2, 1050, Brussels, Belgium. pclarys@vub.ac.be.
authors.forename: Peter
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Clarys
mesh_terms: D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009043:Motor Activity; D010465:Perception; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D012944:Social Support; D013177:Sports; D013334:Students; D014495:Universities; D055815:Young Adult