Examination of the relationship between physical activity levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of university students†

Abstract

Objectives: This study was conducted to determine and correlate physical activity levels and healthy lifestyle behaviors of university
students. Materials and Methods: The sample of the research consisted of 155 students who could be reached during the period of
the research and was willing to participate in the research based on volunteering principle. “Student presentation form,” “international
physical activity assessment questionnaire short form,” and “healthy lifestyle behavior scale” were used in the collection of research
data. In the evaluation of the data, number, percentage, mean and standard deviation, independent t-test, and Pearson correlation
analysis were used. Results: The mean score of healthy lifestyle behaviors scale of the students was found to be 123.83 ± 18.23
(minimum: 86, maximum: 177), scale sub-dimension mean scores were calculated, respectively, as self-realization sub-dimension
was 37.31 ± 6.38, health responsibility subscale was 21.60 ± 5.58, exercise sub-dimension was 10.14 ± 3.28, interpersonal support
subscale was 20.65 ± 3.69, and stress management sub-dimension was 18.79 ± 4.20. The total score average of the physical activity
level of the students included in the survey was 2474.34 metabolic equivalent task-min/hf, and it was determined that the students
were in the minimum active group in terms of total physical activity level. A statistically significant correlation was found between
the total mean score of the healthy lifestyle behavior scale and international physical activity evaluation questionnaire short form
total mean score (P < 0.05). Conclusion: As a result of this research, university students were found to be in the minimum active
group in terms of physical activity level, and healthy lifestyle behaviors were found to be moderate.