Physical Activity Guideline Attainment and Gender Influence Chronic Disease Risks Among African American College Students

Abstract

Chronic disease risk and poor health behaviors, including physical inactivity, are increasing among college students. African American (AA) college students are a vulnerable population given the disproportionate manifestation of chronic disease in AA adults. AA women are particularly high risk given the higher prevalence of chronic diseases among women compared with men. PURPOSE: To examine differences in chronic disease risk among AA college students by attainment of physical activity (PA) guidelines and gender. METHODS: AA college students (N=63; 43 female, 20 male; aged 18.2 ± 1.3 yrs) were recruited for a study examining and intervening on cardiovascular disease risk. Physical assessments and blood marker investigation were collected. Participants also completed self-report surveys: International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ), Perceived Stress Scale (PSS), and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). Students were categorized by meeting or not meeting PA guidelines (>150 min/wk). Descriptive statistics, frequencies, and independent samples t-tests were used to describe overall and stratified chronic disease risk profiles. RESULTS: Overall, students were overweight/obese (54%), had optimal blood profiles, did not attain the PA guidelines for health (54%), were moderately stressed (PSS: 15.1 ±6.5), had poor sleep quality (PSQI: 5.7 ± 3.1), and failed to meet sleep recommendations (6.5 ± 1.2 hrs/night). Females reported higher perceived stress than males (PSS score 16.7 ± 5.6 vs. 11.5 ± 7.2, p<.01); no other gender-specific differences in physical or blood biomarkers were detected. More males (85%) than females (28%) met PA guidelines. Females who met PA guidelines had significantly lower waist circumference (74.1 vs. 85.7 cm), BMI (23.1 vs. 28.6), and LDL cholesterol (65.1 vs. 74.3 mg/dL), and higher sleep quality (4.8 vs. 6.0) compared with females not meeting PA guidelines (all p <.05). There were no significant differences between males by PA guideline attainment. CONCLUSIONS:We identified linkages between PA guideline attainment and chronic disease risk in AA college students, which was more meaningful among females. Given the low PA rates among females, additional work is needed to understand strategies for increasing PA among female AA college students. Supported by NIMHD 1R15MD010194-01.