Multilevel factors associated with physical activity participation among Thai university students
Issued Date
2023-12-01
Resource Type
eISSN
22113355
Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85177221400
Journal Title
Preventive Medicine Reports
Volume
36
Rights Holder(s)
SCOPUS
Bibliographic Citation
Preventive Medicine Reports Vol.36 (2023)
Suggested Citation
Amornsriwatanakul A., Rahman H.A., Katewongsa P., Chaiyasong S., Charoenwattana S., Chupradit S., Ivanovitch K., Rodjarkpai Y., Sriboonma K., Sudnongbua S., Wattanapisit A., Kasemsab V. Multilevel factors associated with physical activity participation among Thai university students. Preventive Medicine Reports Vol.36 (2023). doi:10.1016/j.pmedr.2023.102510 Retrieved from: https://repository.li.mahidol.ac.th/handle/20.500.14594/91182
Title
Multilevel factors associated with physical activity participation among Thai university students
Author's Affiliation
Other Contributor(s)
Abstract
This study investigated physical activity (PA) levels in Thai university students and their associated factors at multiple levels. Data of 3,930 university students age ≥18 years analyzed in this study were retrieved from a cross-sectional online survey, namely the ASEAN University Network – Health Promotion Network (AUN–HPN) health behavioral survey. The hierarchical generalized linear model considering clustering effects was applied to examine factors associated with sufficient PA across multiple levels. At the individual level, being female, underweight, and overweight had significantly lower odds of having sufficient PA. Sophomores had 22 % greater odds compared with freshmen. Students engaging in 1–3 and 4–6 sports activities had 3 and almost 4 times respectively higher odds of having sufficient PA. Students engaged in >8 h of sedentary time, and consumed adequate amounts of fruit/vegetables had 70 % and 59 % respectively higher odds of having sufficient PA. At the environmental level, students who traveled inactively to/from university, attended a university with private recreational facilities, and a university that adopted the healthy university framework (HUF) had significantly greater odds of having sufficient PA. A majority of university students were sufficiently physically active, despite gender disparity. When promoting PA among them, focus may be targeted at females and sophomores, and consider addressing the number of sports activities engaged, fruit/vegetable consumption, availability of private university recreational facilities, and adoption of the HUF. The results support the implementation of the AUN–HPN HUF, and future initiatives within the country and the wider network for health and PA promotion.