Physical Inactivity Among University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia

Physical inactivity is considered a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Studies indicate that sedentary lifestyle patterns are prevalent among segments of the Saudi population. University students have been reported to show lower physical activity levels associated with academic stressors, increasing their risk of many diseases, particularly obesity.

This study aims to evaluate the adherence to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations of physical activity among King Faisal University (KFU) students and to examine the difference between medical and non-medical college students.

This cross-sectional survey-based study was conducted in late 2023 using an English version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) and questions about certain sociodemographic factors, such as academic level, age, and some habits, such as smoking, among KFU students. Associations were examined using chi-square/Fisher's exact tests and multivariable logistic regression.

A total of 558 participants were included in the analysis, with 186 (32.8%) found to be physically inactive. The difference in physical inactivity was significant between participants from medical and non-medical colleges. Being a medical student increased the odds of being physically inactive by 63.5%, and smoking increased the odds by 222.25%.

Physical inactivity was highly prevalent among KFU students and significantly higher among medical students. Beyond its notorious effect on health, smoking also seemed to dictate the behavior and decrease the level of physical activity.