Conducta sedentaria y actividad física en estudiantes universitarios: un estudio piloto

the effectiveness of physical activity as primary and secondary prevention strategy of several chronic diseases is well documented. sedentary behavior, a factor that has been recently introduced, is associated with these disorders and seems to act independently of the level of physical activity. sedentary behavior refers to activities that do not increase energy expenditure substantially above the resting level. increased levels of sedentary behaviors, independent of physical activity levels, are associated with increased risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular mortality and all cause mortality. we analyzed the sedentary behavior in a local university population of a group of students from the university of flores (n = 425). the sedentary behavior and the level of physical activity were studied using the self reporting questionnaire gpaq. we found that the sedentary behavior is a variable with a heterogeneous response. sedentary behaviors were more frequent in women, yet the differences were non-significant. sixteen percent of students had high levels of sedentary behaviors and, simultaneously, low levels of physical activity, with higher risk of chronic diseases. further surveys are needed about sedentary behaviors during work, motorized transportation and spare time in the general population.