Physical activity and perceived community environments in college students

Background: Community environments have been considered as significant factors of physical activity (PA). College students’ level of PA showed a downward tendency throughout their college years. This study investigated the association between perceived community environments of college students’ residence and their PA. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was used for this study. The survey questionnaire measured PA, community environments for PA, self-efficacy toward exercise, and related variables. Three hundred sixty four students, 151 male and 213 female, completed the questionnaires. Their PA was classified in three categories as inactive, low, and medium-high. Results: The mean PA level was 3,011±2,476 MET-min/week, and more than half was low intensity (56.2%). Total level of perceived community environments not differed significantly among three groups of PA. However, the mean of three items belonged to two characteristics of community environments differed significantly among three groups of PA. In the medium-high intensity of PA group, they perceived higher levels of ‘access to destination’ and ‘recreation facilities’ than the levels of them that low intensity of PA group perceived (p < .05). On the other hand, perceived community environments for PA were positively correlated with self-efficacy (p < .05). Conclusion: Some characteristics of community environments were found to be associated with PA in college students. Based on the findings, the authors suggest that Korean public health providers should promote safer and more activity friendly environments by a multidisciplinary approach and policy making.