Physical inactivity and associated factors among university students in 23 low-, middle- and high-income countries.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to determine estimates of the prevalence and social correlates of physical inactivity among university students in 23 low-, middle- and high-income countries.


METHODS
The International Physical Activity Questionnaire was used to collect data from 17,928 undergraduate university students (mean age 20.8, SD = 2.8) from 24 universities in 23 countries.


RESULTS
The prevalence of physical inactivity was 41.4 %, ranging from 21.9 % in Kyrgyzstan to 80.6 % in Pakistan. In multivariate logistic regression, older age (22-30 years), studying in a low- or lower middle-income country, skipping breakfast and lack of social support were associated with physical inactivity. In men, being underweight, being overweight or obese, not avoiding fat and cholesterol, not having severe depression symptoms, low beliefs in the health benefits of physical activity, low personal control and knowledge of exercise-heart link, and in women, not trying to eat fibre, low personal mastery and medium personal control were additionally associated with physical inactivity.


CONCLUSIONS
Four in each ten students are physically inactive, calling for strategic interventions by relevant professionals in higher educational institutions.
ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhonpathom, 73170, Thailand, supaprom@yahoo.com.
Supa
S
Pengpid
Karl
K
Peltzer
Hemant Kumar
HK
Kassean
Jacques Philippe
JP
Tsala Tsala
Vanphanom
V
Sychareun
Falk
F
Müller-Riemenschneider
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology; D019049:Developed Countries; D003906:Developing Countries; D004032:Diet; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D015438:Health Behavior; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012309:Risk-Taking; D057185:Sedentary Behavior; D020377:Self Efficacy; D012737:Sex Factors; D012944:Social Support; D013334:Students / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D013851:Thinness / Q000453:epidemiology; D014495:Universities / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D055815:Young Adult