Comparison of Health and Academic Indices between Campus Recreation Facility users and Nonusers

Abstract

Body mass index (BMI), electronic media (EM) use, International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) scores, selected nutrient intake, smoking, and grade point averages (GPA) were compared between campus recreation (CR) facility users and nonusers at a public, four-year institution in the mid-Atlantic region. Participants (n = 1034) were categorized by CR visits: nonusers, low users (>0 to <1 visit/wk), moderate users (≥1 to <3 visits/wk), or high users (≥3 visits/wk). Significant (p < .05) main effects between user groups were found for BMI, EM use, IPAQ scores, fat intake, smoking, and GPA. High users had better GPA (3.35 vs. ≤3.15 for others), IPAQ scores (8135 MET-min/wk vs. <6800 MET-min/wk for others), and lower fat intake (<30% of total calories vs. >30.9% of total calories for others) than all other groups. High users also had lower BMI (22.8 kg/m2) than moderate users and nonusers (>23.9 kg/m2) and lower EM use (5.56 hr/d) than nonusers (6.55 hr/d). These results indicate that CR visitations are favorably associated with academic achievement and good health.