Leisure-Time Physical Activity among University Students in Mauritius

Abstract

Mauritius has Type 2 Diabetes mellitus as public health issue, whereby unhealthy modes of eating and sedentary lifestyles are factors to be addressed in the primary prevention of the disease among the youth. This study was thus designed to investigate the prevalence of Leisure-time physical activity (LTPA) among university students in Mauritius and to explore their motivations and constraints to engage in LTPA, using the ecological model of health promotion. Data were collected from a representative group of university students in Mauritius using a self-administered questionnaire. Qualitative and quantitative data pertaining to LTPA issues were collected. Three-fifths of the participants met the recommended levels of LTPA. The majority of inactive participants were female. Motivations provided by participants to engage in LTPA were predominantly intrapersonal. The three most mentioned motivations were improvement in physical health, improvement in physical appearance and to have fun. Constraints faced by participants to engage in LTPA were mainly of an intrapersonal nature. The three main constraints provided by students were lack of time, having to study and not being motivated. Therefore, interventions to promote LTPA among university students should simultaneously address development of time-management skills and provision of incentives to perform LTPA.