Actividad física y salud en estudiantes universitarios desde una perspectiva salutogénica

Zusammenfassung

The salutogenic model focuses on problem resolution and the capacity of using available resources. Sense of coherence, the central construct of this paradigm, is the capacity of perceiving that one is able to deal with any situation in life. It is a positive approach to health assets that promotes healthy lifestyles. Physical activity and Mediterranean diet are two basic elements in healthy lifestyles. Unfortunately, their prevalence is diminishing in the population whilst hazardous patterns of healthy behaviour are rising. The consolidation of healthy lifestyles in adulthood depends on what has happened at early childhood and adolescence. Physical activity at university is a good predictor of sport dedication level at adulthood. This study aims to determine the association between sense of coherence and physical activity regarding sociodemographic characteristics, health status, quality of life and lifestyles in university students at the Universitat de les Illes Balears (UIB). In order to achieve this goal, an observational study was conducted in 2015. It had a transversal design and a sample of 1373 UIB students. They were asked to voluntarily answer an anonymous questionnaire that collected information about their sociodemographic and anthropometric characteristics, sense of coherence, academic stress, sports habits and Mediterranean diet adherence. The results showed an association between sense of coherence and positive attitudes towards physical activity (F=18,03; p<0,001). A direct correlation was found among sense of coherence, energy expenditure (rho=0,1; p=0,001), physical activity’s frequency (rho=0,08; p=0,004) and Mediterranean diet adherence (rho=0,11; p<0,001). An indirect correlation was found between sense of coherence and academic stress (r=-0,28; p<0,001). The odds on perceiving their health status/ quality of life as good or very good were, respectively, 5,1 and 4,9 folds more in those students with a strong sense of coherence. It was noticed that those students who practice physical activity have a better perception of their health status/ quality of life (χ2= 92,73; p< 0,001 and χ2= 36,46; p< 0,001, respectively), have less academic stress (F=16,51; p<0,001) and have a better Mediterranean diet adherence (χ2=5,20; p=0,023). The more members of the family or social environment who practice physical activity, the higher the students' energy expenditure. Thus it can be concluded that students with a strong sense of coherence have healthier lifestyles, can deal better with academic stress and have a better perception of their health status and quality of life. Furthermore, the higher the level of physical activity and energy expenditure, the lower their academic stress, the higher their score in the Mediterranean diet adherence scale and the better their health status and quality of life perception.