Citation

Pengpid S, Peltzer K. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2019; 16(12): e16122084.

Affiliation

Deputy Vice Chancellor Research and Innovation Office, North West University, Potchefstroom 2531, South Africa. karl.peltzer@tdtu.edu.vn.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2019, MDPI: Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute)

DOI

10.3390/ijerph16122084

PMID

31200427

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.

Language: en

Keywords

physical activity; sedentary behaviour; university students; well-being