Physical activity information seeking among emerging adults attending university

Abstract

Objective To assess preferred sources of information for seeking physical activity (PA), and how PA information seeking may contribute to participation in a campus PA program. Participants: Students attending a large, Western Canadian university between April 2015 and April 2018. Methods: Secondary analysis of an annual campus-wide survey. Results: Students sought PA information for general health. Females sought information about weight loss for appearances; males sought information for muscle gain for appearance. Internet and friends were primary sources of PA information. Regression analysis indicated females 2.49 (95% CI 1.98–3.13), domestic students 2.86, 95% CI (2.04–4.02), and first year students 24.88, 95% CI (18.12–34.17) were most likely to participate in a campus PA program. Only health reasons significantly contributed to participation 1.42, 95% CI (1.06–1.89). Conclusions: Emerging adults attending university may benefit from PA promotion that makes use of their preferred information sources.

Keywords:

• college students
• emerging adults
• information seeking
• physical activity

Conflict of interest disclosure

The authors have no conflicts of interest to report. The authors confirm that the research presented in this article met the ethical guidelines, including adherence to the legal requirements, of Canada and received approval from the Research Ethics Board of the University of Alberta.

Additional information

Funding

Canada Research Chairs program [950-230554].