Examining physical activity among US college students following COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns : the role of race/ethnicity and acculturation

Abstract

Objective: This study examined physical activity among US college students in the context following COVID-19 outbreaks and lockdowns, with a focus on racial/ethnic and cultural determinants. Sample: This study used cross-sectional data of the COVID-19 University Research on Education and Sustainability (CURES) project. Participants were college students from 7 public universities in the US (N = 1210; 75% female; 33.5% White, 9.1% Black, 47.6% Hispanic, and 7.1% Asian; Mage = 21.06; 85.6% born in the US, 51.6% had mother born in the US, and 49% had father born in the US). Method: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire - short form (IPAQ-SF) was used to assess physical activity and the Vancouver Index of Acculturation (VIA) – the American version was used to assess levels of heritage and US acculturation. Results: White students reported statistically significant higher physical activity than Hispanic (p < .05, Cohen’s d = .19) and Asian (p < .05, Cohen’s d = .36). In sedentary level, White students reported statistically significant lower levels than Asian (p < .05, Cohen’s d = -.45). Asian reported lowest physical activity, highest sedentary level, and highest prevalence of not meeting physical activity recommendation. Small negative correlation was found between heritage cultural level and total weekly physical activity among Hispanic students (r = - .09, p < .05). Conclusion: Race/ethnicity and cultural perception and practices could play a role in determine physical activity and sedentary behaviors among college students. The study calls for more qualitative research, and racial/ethnic and cultural-specific interventions to improve physical activity among Hispanic/Latin and Asian student populations.Kinesiology and Health Educatio