ICT USE Influence on Activity Pattern & Body Composition Of University Students In Kwara State

Abstract

The use of ICT is a prominent aspect of students’ lifestyle in tertiary institutions. ICT creates efficiency in performing tasks but encourages sedentariness, alters body composition and may affect health. PURPOSE: To determine influence of ICT use on physical activity pattern and body composition of tertiary institution students. METHODS: The study design was Ex-post facto. Multistage sampling was used to select 2,442 students with mean age 22.8 years from three tertiary institutions in Kwara state, Nigeria. Body composition was determined using height scale, body fat/hydration monitor scale (brand number 7032497) and two birds non-elastic tape rule. Validated ICT Use and Physical Activity Questionnaire (IUPAQ) (Rho of .71) was used to assess level of ICT use and physical activity pattern. Approved Ethical Clearance from University of Ilorin and informed consent were dully obtained. Inclusion criteria were penultimate and final year students. Percentage, Mean, and Standard Deviation described the data. Hypotheses were tested at 0.05 alpha level using PPMC, ANOVA and Multiple Regression. RESULTS: Many of the students did not perform the recommended physical activity (n = 1,065; 43.6%) and their physical activity pattern was sedentary-based (14 hours per day). Average ICT time per day was 9 hours (65%) of which mobile phone time was 4 hours (25%). Strong positive relationship existed between ICT use and sedentariness r = .84, p = .001; physical activity pattern and ICT use p = .001, r2 = 15%; and ICT use and body composition p = .001. Sedentariness was the highest predictor of excessive ICT use Beta =.120, p = .001 & BMI predictor of risk factor Beta = .156 . However, light to vigorous intensity physical activity levels indicated low predictive ability of ICT use p>.05;. Significant difference in the level of ICT use based on age range, p = .001 and type of institution of participants p = .001 existed. CONCLUSION: Prolonged ICT use causes sedentariness and alters body composition with BMI as the highest predictor of risk. This study advocates for institutional physical activity awareness for regulated ICT use campaign.