Health Promotion of Young University Students in Lebanon: Physical Activity Behavior and Cultural Barriers

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence of physical activity (PA) and exercise behaviors in young students and to propose an evidence-based exercise practice program for undergraduates in a university setting in Lebanon. Methods: From October 2014 to April 2015, a cross-sectional survey using mixed methods was conducted among 253 young university students. Information regarding the participants’ sociodemographic and environmental characteristics, experience with leisure time, physical exercise, and Stage of Exercise Behavioral Change (SEBC) were collected. Results: The participants’ mean age was 19.5 years (SD=1.21), and 86.6% were women. In total, 8.3 and 23.7% of the participants were in the inactive stages of exercise behavior change (pre-contemplation and contemplation, respectively). A third (33.2%) of the students were in the preparation stage, and another third felt that they were in either the action (12.6%) or the maintenance (22.1%) stages (i.e., had regularly engaged in PA for longer than six months). There was a higher percentage of men than women in the action (23.5 vs.11.0%) and maintenance (32.4 vs. 20.5%) stages (P=0.002). Academic discipline was associated with PA behavior. Of the students who exercised, 99.4% were engaged in aerobic exercise and 70.9% were engaged in walking. University students reported many barriers to PA, including lack of access to facilities and resources (33.3%), lack of time (35.7%), and cultural and social context barriers (19%). Conclusion: The present study is one of the first to provide data on PA behavior among young Lebanese students. Despite the need for further research on this topic, universities should develop and implement effective interventions based on the transtheoretical model of change to promote sports among young students, increase PA, and thus improve their well-being.