Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the cardiovascular health needs of university students living in residence. A survey was administered to students living in residences at a university in Nova Scotia, Canada to identify eating patterns, physical activity, smoking behaviours and perceived stress. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and chi-square tests of association. Qualitative data were collected using focus group interviews. Results showed that fewer than half of the students participated in exercise three or more times per week, and 82% ate less than the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables. As perceived knowledge of CVD increased so did level of physical activity and consumption of fruits and vegetables. Fifty-six percent of students rated their stress as high or very high; exams and course assignments are a major cause of this stress. Fifteen percent of the university students surveyed were daily smokers. Barriers to a healthy lifestyle include time constraints and limited food choices in the residence cafeteria.
Résumé
Cette étude avait pour objet de déterminer les besoins en santé cardiovasculaire des étudiants universitaires vivant en résidence. Il a été demandé à des étudiants vivant en résidence à l’Université de la Nouvelle-Écosse, de remplir un questionnaire en vue d’identifier leurs comportements alimentaires, leur activité physique, leur tabagisme et leur perception du stress. Les données ont été analysées à l’aide de statistiques descriptives et des tests d’association du type chi carré. Des données qualitatives ont été recueillies à l’aide d’interviews avec des groupes témoins. Les résultats ont montré que moins de la moitié des étudiants font de l’exercice trois fois ou plus par semaine, et que 82 % d’entre eux consomment moins de fruits et légumes que la quantité recommandée. Le niveau d’activité physique et la consommation de fruits et légumes augmentent parallèlement à une plus grande connaissance des maladies cardiovasculaires. Cinquante six pour cent des étudiants évaluent leur stress comme étant élevé, voire très élevé; les examens et les travaux imposés sont jugés comme un important facteur à l’origine de ce stress. Quinze pour cent des étudiants interrogés fument tous les jours. Au nombre des obstacles à l’adoption d’un mode de vie sain, on trouve les contraintes de temps et un choix limité d’aliments dans les cafétérias des résidences universitaires.
Footnotes
This study was funded by the Cardiac Prevention and Rehabilitation Research Centre, Dalhousie University.
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