Active Students are Healthier and Happier than Their Inactive Peers: of First Year Students Studying in Kuwait University: A Cross-Sectional Survey
Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of PA on the health and happiness of first-year students at the College of Education, Kuwait University. Methods: The final analysis of the cross-sectional study included 1454 male and female students. Happiness was evaluated using the Short Depression and Happiness Scale (SDHS), and PA was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF). Statistical analysis of the data was performed using the SPSS. Mann-Whitney U test and ANOVA test were used to compare PA levels between genders and happy and depressed groups. Results: Happiness was high in 83% of the students and low in 17%. PA levels were high in the students, with a median total PA among the participating students of 1810.9 MET-minutes/week. Male students were more active, with a median total score of 2402 MET-minutes/week, compared to females, with a median total score of 2312 MET-minutes/week. A significant association was observed between happiness and PA levels among the students. Statistically significant differences were found for PA and happy students (p = 0.001), and statistically significant differences were found for PA and depressed students (p = 0.02). Conclusions: The happiness among most first-year students was high, with a slight difference between males and females. The levels of PA among these students were high, especially among males. PA levels were significantly associated with happiness among first-year students. Thus, active students were happier and healthier than inactive students.
Keywords
Physical activity, Healthier, Happier, Exercise, Education Students, Inactive
References
- Alhuthil, R., Alshiban, S., Alqarni, A., Alshalawi, M., Alhaqbani, L., & Abusalih, H. (2022). Level and Associated Factors Predicting Happiness Among Princess Nourah University Students in Saudi Arabia During Covid-19 Pandemic. Bahrain Medical Bulletin, 44(2).
- Bahrami, S., Rajaeepour, S., Rizi, H. A., Zahmatkesh, M., & Nematolahi, Z. (2011). The relationship between students’ study habits, happiness and depression. Iranian journal of nursing and midwifery research, 16(3), 217. [PubMed]
- Bull, F. C., Al-Ansari, S. S., Biddle, S., Borodulin, K., Buman, M. P., Cardon, G., & Willumsen, J. F. (2020). World Health Organization 2020 guidelines on physical activity and sedentary behaviour. British journal of sports medicine, 54(24), 1451-1462. [PubMed]
- Burhaein, E., Demirci, N., Phytanza, D. T. P., Nadzalan, A., & Niksic, E. (2024). Is Walking a Miracle Cure for Active and Healthy Aging?. International Journal of Active & Healthy Aging, 2(1), 10–17. [CrossRef]
- Craig, C. L., Marshall, A. L., Sjöström, M., Bauman, A. E., Booth, M. L., Ainsworth, B. E., & Oja, P. (2003). International physical activity questionnaire: 12-country reliability and validity. Medicine & science in sports & exercise, 35(8), 1381-1395. [PubMed] [CrossRef]
- Dabrowska-Galas, M., Plinta, R., Dabrowska, J., & Skrzypulec-Plinta, V. (2013). Physical activity in students of the Medical University of Silesia in Poland. Physical therapy, 93(3), 384-392. [CrossRef]
- Fagaras, S. P., Radu, L. E., & Vanvu, G. (2015). The level of physical activity of university students. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 197, 1454-1457. [CrossRef]
- Fisher, J. J., Kaitelidou, D., & Samoutis, G. (2019). Happiness and physical activity levels of first year medical students studying in Cyprus: a cross-sectional survey. BMC medical education, 19(1), 475. [CrossRef]
- Gülgösteren, E. (2023). Examination of Physical Activity and Health-Related Quality of Life in Adults with Chronic Diseases. International Journal of Active & Healthy Aging, 1(1), 7–13. [CrossRef]
- Golightly, Y. M., Allen, K. D., Ambrose, K. R., Stiller, J. L., Evenson, K. R., Voisin, C., & Callahan, L. F. (2017). Peer reviewed: physical activity as a vital sign: a systematic review. Preventing chronic disease, 14. [CrossRef]