Adherence
College students exhibit high levels of physical activity, with 43.6% meeting vigorous exercise guidelines and 49.3% meeting muscle-strengthening guidelines, while maintaining a healthy average BMI.
If you are a college student, you are likely more active than stereotypes suggest. Aim to exercise vigorously for 20 minutes or moderately for 30 minutes at least 3 days a week, and include muscle-strengthening activities at least 2 days a week. Your BMI is likely in a healthy range if you follow these patterns.
43.6% of students (n = 23,143) reported that they exercised vigorously for at least 20 minutes or moderately for at least 30 minutes on at least 3 out of the past 7 days, and 49.3% of students (n = 26,049) reported that they exercised to strengthen or tone muscles at least 2 out of the past 7 days. The mean estimated body mass index (BMI = weight in kg divided by height in m2) was 23.3 kg/m2 for women (SD = 4.5) and 24.6 kg/m2 for men (SD = 4.4). Both of these BMI values fall within the healthy weight range as defined by the National Institutes of Health.
Why this rating
Large sample size (N=54,111) but relies on self-reported data which may contain bias.
Source
American College Health Association National College Health Assessment (ACHA-NCHA) Spring 2005 Reference Group Data Report (Abridged)
Journal of American College Health · 2006
DOI 10.3200/jach.55.1.5-16
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