Diversity, physical activity, and referral by university campus healthcare services to physical activity counseling.

Abstract

Objective: To identify student diversity, physical activity (PA), and PA referrals to PA counseling by campus healthcare providers (HCPs). Participants: University students (n = 1030, M_age = 21.14) utilizing on-campus healthcare. Methods: Data were collected from university healthcare visits. PA was measured using Physical Activity Vital Sign. Results: The final sample was predominantly women (74.6%), non-Hispanic or Latino (83.2%), and white (60.9%). Fifty-seven percent were insufficiently active. Men and white students reported significantly more weekly minutes of PA than women and students of color, respectively (ps < .01). There were no significant differences in PA between ethnic groups (p = .39). PA referrals by HCPs were completed in only 1.5% of the sample. Conclusion: Given that most university students were insufficiently active, whilst low rates of PA referrals by HCPs occurred, interventions to increase PA among diverse samples of university students and PA referrals among HCPs are imperative.