Prática de atividade física e estado nutricional de universitários em Uberlândia – MG. Practice of physical activity and nutritional status in college in Uberlândia – MG.

Abstract

Introduction : Physical activity is essential to maintaining health, and is usually affected by university life. Objective : To evaluate the physical activity and nutritional status of students in a public university in the city of Uberlândia, MG, Brazil. Materials and Methods : The study population consisted of 379 students from three major fields of knowledge and at different stages of courses. To evaluate the level of physical activity, we adapted questions from the 2011 Risk Factors Surveillance and Protection for Chronic Diseases Telephone Survey (Vigitel), from which we analyzed three indicators such as physical activity during leisure time; physical activity at work and/or university; and sedentary behavior regarding the use of electronic equipment. Nutritional status was determined by body mass index, using height and weight. Results : We observed that 7.2% of students had thinness, 68.8% were eutrophic and 24.0% were overweight. Regarding physical activity, 38.6% and 16.5% of the students were classified as active during leisure time and active at work and/or university, respectively. We also observed that 59.1% had a sedentary behavior with electronic equipment. Men were significantly more active than women at work and/or university. The physical activity during leisure time was positively associated with income. Overweight students were more active in leisure time and at work and/or university. Conclusion : We conclude that students are not very active in general and that strategies to encourage physical activity practices are needed.