[Physical activity and health habits in Argentinian undergraduates]

Deterioration of healthy habits in young people, particularly undergraduates, justifies their study in these populations. The aim of the present research is to analyze physical activity levels of students from the Universidad Nacional de La Matanza (Argentina), trying to describe homogeneous groups by demographic characteristics, health habits and perceived wellbeing, and to identify the level of physical activity that best describes each of the groups.

Participants were 554 students (281 males and 273 females) of different careers which were applied the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), and a survey related to health habits, perception of happiness and other demographic variables. Measures of central tendency and variability, and percentiles P25 and P75, were calculated for all variables. Segmentation was performed using hierarchical cluster analysis, after a previous factor analysis.

79.8% of students, and 97.2% of Physical Education students met the recommendations of physical activity. Students identified with a high physical activity level were those who attended in day shift, did not smoke, did not consume alcohol or drugs, did not work, had no children or stable partner, and with a medium socio-economic level.

It is suggested the need for a strong educational intervention by universities to promote healthy habits and regular performance of physical activity, as they have a primary social responsibility regarding these issues.