Levels and Characteristics of Physical Activity Among a College Student Cohort

INTRODUCTION The benefits of regular, consistent physical activity are well documented. Physical activity plays an important role in the prevention of chronic diseases and conditions including cardiovascular disease, certain types of cancer, type II diabetes, and obesity. Furthermore, physical activity is critical for long-term weight control and is thought to be an effective means to decrease symptoms related to depression. Despite these many positive outcomes of physical activity, the majority of Americans remain sedentary or are not active enough to experience its potential benefits. According to the U.S. Surgeon General, more than 60% of American adults do not engage in regular physical activity and about 25% of American adults do not engage in any type of physical activity beyond the requirements of daily life. With regard to those of college age, Jones and colleagues reported that only 35% of women 18–24 and 39% of men in the same age group met the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-American College of Sports Medicine (CDC-ACSM) guidelines for moderate physical activity, which state that “Every U.S. adult should accumulate 30 minutes or more of moderateintensity activity on most, preferably all, days of the week.” Similarly, data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention National College Health Risk Behavior Survey (NCHRBS) indicated that 42% of college students participated in vigorous activity at least three times a week, while an additional 20% participated in moderate activity. The high rates of inactivity and accompanying health consequences among college-age people are of concern. Weight control is an issue that is especially relevant Levels and Characteristics of Physical Activity Among a College Student Cohort