Do College Students At Majmaah University Meet the Weekly Recommended Physical Activity Guidelines? Cross-Sectional Analyses

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Background and Aims: Regular engagement in physical activity (PA) has been known to associate with improved health and quality of life measures. Prior research reported that only 46% of Saudi college students meet the weekly recommended PA volumes. However, these prior studies lack using standardized PA assessment methods, and therefore, this study examined PA levels and calculated the proportions meeting the weekly PA guidelines among college students currently enrolled in Majmaah university, Saudi Arabia. Methods: Currently enrolled college students at Majmaah university were included. PA levels was evaluated using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. This questionnaire contains 7-item questions regarding the weekly time spent in vigorous-to-moderate PA (MVPA), walking, and sitting behavior. Additionally, proportions meeting the weekly recommended PA was calculated. Results: One hundred and fifty-eight college students were enrolled (41.2% males, M age= 23.32 ± 4.5 years, and M body mass index (BMI)= 24.1±5.0 kg/m²). Male college students spent more time in MVPA (p=0.001, d=0.50) and met the weekly recommended PA cutoffs at a higher proportion compared to female college students (p=0.023). There were no other significant differences in PA levels between male and female college students (all p values >0.05). Conclusions: Male college students spent more time in higher activity intensity and met the weekly recommended activity cutoffs at a higher proportion than female students at Majmaah University. Future research should examine factors associated with increased activity levels such as socioeconomic status and/or physical or mental status among college students.