2nd Annual Academic Symposium - Jennifer Tacke

This study examined the physical activity levels of undergraduate students for differences amongst academic majors and years in university. The Physical Activity and Nutrition Questionnaire was emailed to 3070 undergraduate students, 386 subjects completed the survey. Results indicate a difference in participation in moderate (p = 0.053) and vigorous activity (p = 0.005) by academic year, with second year students being the most active. Differences amongst academic major were found for participants’ perception of weight (p = 0.038), participation in moderate (p = 0.047) and vigorous activity (p = 0.042), and satisfaction with activity habits (p = 0.004). Second-year students may be more active because they have adapted to college, without having yet entered the bulk of their major courses. Business and Exercise Science majors reported greater satisfaction with weight and activity levels, and the most activity. Conversely, Education and Pre-Pharmacy majors reported less satisfaction with weight and activity levels, and the least activity.