Estado nutricional y nivel de actividad física según percepción de los estudiantes de la Universidad de Alicante

Abstract

Basis: To assess the nutritional condition and physical activity of students at the University of Alicante (UA), according to self perception. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive study in a random sample of 395 students (F=254 M=139). A selfadministered questionnaire was used to value the nutritional condition and physical activity determining self perceived weight and height and, hours devoted to physical exercise weekly. The information was gathered at randomly selected sites in the university campus between December in 2009 and April 2010. The differences between subgroups were evaluated by means of test t-Student and the analysis of chisquare for constant and discreet variables respectively. Level of statistical significance was p <0,05. The information was analyzed with the statistical package SPSS version 18. Results: 76,8 % presented normal weight, 4,8 % thinness, 15,3 % overweight and 3,1 % obesity. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was significantly higher in men (<0,05), whereas the thinness in women (p <0,01). Women practiced physical exercise <1 hour / week (32 %) and, men> 5 hours / week (23 %). Total number of hours of physical activity per week was significantly higher in men than in women (p <0,001). Conclusions: University students tend to underestimate their weight and to self-perceived less sedentary than they actually are. This suggests imbalances of self perception of body image and physical activity, essential elements to plan intervention programs in promoting and educating health.