Physical activity, body mass index, academic classification, and health-related quality of life: a cross-sectional study among university students
Janessa Haddon, Kayden Douglas, Bryce Thompson
Although it is well documented that obesity and lower levels of moderate to vigorous intensity physical activity (MVPA) are strongly associated with morbidity and mortality, less is known about the impact of these variables on health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Objective: To determine how MVPA engagement, body mass index (BMI), and academic classification affects the eight domains of HRQOL among university students. Methods: Undergraduate students attending Lander University (Greenwood, SC) were invited to participate in the study (n= 87). The Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36) was used to assess HRQOL (eight domains: physical functioning, role limitations due to physical problems, role limitations due to emotional problems, energy/fatigue, emotional well-being, social functioning, bodily pain, and general health perception; higher score is indicative of more favorable HRQOL). The ActiGraph GT3X+ triaxial accelerometer (ActiGraph, LLC, Pensacola, FL, USA) was used to assess physical activity levels (duration and intensity) over a 7-day period, and participants were categorized into two groups: < 150 minutes of MVPA per week or > 150 minutes of MVPA per week. Weight and height were measured and used to calculate BMI, and participants were categorized into three groups: normal (BMI < 25kg/m2), overweight (BMI between 25 and 29.9 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > 30 kg/m2). Student were also categorized according to academic classification as lower or upperclassmen. Comparisons between groups were performed using independent sample t-test or one-way ANOVA. The level of significance was set at 5% and analyses were conducted using the SPSS software (IBM SPSS Statistics, version 26). Results: Participants that engaged in more than 150 minutes per week of MVPA scored significantly higher on emotional well-being (p-value = 0.010), social functioning (p-value = 0.034) and general health perception (p-value = 0.011) when compared to participants not meeting the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) recommendation. When compared to normal BMI, participants classified as overweight had a significantly lower score on role limitations due to physical problems (p-value = 0.040), and participants classified as obese had a significantly lower score on general health perception (p-value = 0.038). Upperclassmen scored significantly higher on role limitations due to physical problems (p-value = 0.048), role limitations due to emotional problems (p-value = 0.045), and energy/fatigue (p-value = 0.003) when compared to lowerclassmen. Conclusion: Undergraduate students that met the ACSM recommendation for MVPA, had BMI < 25kg/m2, and were classified as upperclassmen had significantly higher scores on five different domains of HRQOL.
Janessa Haddon graduated from Abbeville High School. She is a senior in exercise science at Lander University, focusing on physical therapy. Her achievements include interning at Self Regional Healthcare and Abbeville Rehabilitation and Wellness. She is a part of the American College of Sports Medicine, the National Society of Leadership and Success, Business Professional Women of Greenwood, and Lander University Physical Education and Exercise Science Leadership Team. She has been currently accepted into the Doctor of Physical Therapy Program at the Medical University of South Carolina.
Kayden Douglas graduated from Central High School in Pageland, South Carolina. She is a senior exercise science major with a minor in psychology, focusing on physical therapy at Lander University. Kayden is a member of Gamma Phi Beta Sorority and the PEES Club Leadership team. During her time at Lander University, she has been on the President’s List and Dean’s List. After graduation in May, she will begin studying physical therapy at the Medical University of South Carolina in Charleston, South Carolina in hopes of receiving a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.
Bryce Thompson graduated from Ware Shoals High School and is a junior exercise science major focusing on becoming an athletic trainer, with a minor in sports management. His achievements include being in the Nationals Honor Society and Beta Club, joining the National Athletic Trainer Association and being an Erskine fellow, along with various other awards.