Leisure-time physical activity: Prevalence and psychosocial correlates in a sample of black South African youth

Abstract

This study investigated the prevalence and psychosocial correlates of leisure-time physical exercise among South African university students. The sample included 793 Black university students from non-health courses, chosen at random from the University of the North, South Africa. The students were 370 (46.7%) males and 423 (53.3%) females in the age range of 18 to 25 years (M age 21.0 years, SD=3.48). Results indicated that the prevalence of leisure time physical exercise in the two weeks prior to the study was 58.3% in men and 39.1% in women (p<.001). The proportion of students who were aware of the association between physical activity and heart disease was 37.7% among men and 38.9% among women (38.9%). The wish to increase exercise participation was positively associated with exercise status and frequency of excercise. Multiple logistic regression for women identified health benefits and healthy diet and for men health benefits, healthy diet, non-drinking and internal health locus of control as independent predictors for physical exercise. The study found a moderate covariation among health behaviours such as exercise, abstinence from alcohol and diet, which have a number of practical and theoretical implications for health education programmes.

Key words: Leisure-time physical activity, prevalence, psychosocial correlates, Black university students, South Africa.


(Af. J. Physical, Health Education, Recreation and Dance: 2002 8(1): 75-82)