Sedentary Behaviour, Physical Activity and Life Satisfaction, Happiness and Perceived Health Status in University Students from 24 Countries

Supa Pengpid and Karl Peltzer
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Supa Pengpid: ASEAN Institute for Health Development, Mahidol University, Salaya, Phutthamonthon, Nakhonpathom 73170, Thailand
Karl Peltzer: Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation Office, North West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa

IJERPH, 2019, vol. 16, issue 12, 1-7

Abstract: The aim of this investigation was to estimate the independent and combined associations of sedentary behaviour (SB) and physical activity (PA) with life satisfaction, happiness and perceived health in university students. In a cross-sectional survey, 12,492 university students (median age 20 years, interquartile range = 3) from 24 countries responded to a questionnaire on SB, PA and well-being indicators. In adjusted linear regression, higher SB (4 to <8 h and ≥8 h) was associated with poorer life satisfaction ( β = −0.21, confidence interval (CI): −0.27 to −0.14) and lower happiness ( β = −0.31, CI: −0.46 to −0.17), and higher SB (≥8 h) was associated with lower perceived health ( β = −0.08, CI: −0.13 to 0.03). In addition, moderate and/or high PA increased the odds for higher life satisfaction ( β = 0.10, CI: 0.04 to 0.16), greater happiness ( β = 0.27, CI: 0.15 to 0.39) and better perceived health ( β = 0.12, CI: 0.08 to 0.15). Programmes that reduce SB and increase PA may promote life satisfaction, happiness and perceived health status in this university student population.

Keywords: sedentary behaviour; physical activity; well-being; university students (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2019
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (13)

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