Physical activity of students: prevalence and profiles of associated risk behaviours

Objectives: The objectives were to determine the prevalence of physical activity (PA), characterize PA profiles and identify risk factors associated with PA in the student population. Methods: In 2014, a cross-sectional epidemiological study was conducted at the Universities of Rouen and Littoral and Opal Coast. An anonymous self-administered questionnaire collected information on age, sex, alcohol consumption and risk of eating disorders (ED). PA was assessed on the basis of sports activities and duration. Three categories were defined : no reported PA, moderate PA (0.5 to 3 hours/week) and intensive PA (>3 hours/week). Results: In total, 2,787 students with a M/F sex ratio of 0.56, a mean age of 21.0 years (SD=3.5) were included; 41.8% did not practice any PA, 28.4% had moderate PA and 19.8% had intensive PA. The prevalence of regular drinking at least once a week was 14.6% in students without PA, 20.2M% in the group with moderate PA and 24.4% in students with intensive AR Factors independently associated with intense PA were : female gender (AOR=0.28, 95% CI=0.18-0.43; p<10-4), smoking (AOR=0.54, 95% CI=0.36-0.81; p=0.003), risk of ED (AOR=0.95, 95% CI=0.51-0.91; p=0.02) and stress (AOR=0.91, 95% CI=0.85-0.96; p=0.001). Conclusion : More than 40% of students do not practice any PA. These results highlight the need for a better understanding to develop intervention strategies for students, based on new public health approaches. The contribution of social and physical environmental factors to changes in PA needs to be further explored.