The Prevalence of Ontario Undergraduate University Students Meeting the 24-Hour Movement Guidelines and the Role of Perceived Social Support
Abstract
The extensive physical and mental health implications of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep are irrefutable. The COVID-19 pandemic has had drastic consequences on university students and their already poor movement behaviours. Recommendations for a healthful distribution of physical activity, sedentary behaviour, and sleep were presented in the Canadian 24-Hour Movement Guidelines for Adults. The current research sought to report the prevalence of Ontario undergraduate university students meeting the Guidelines approximately two and a half years into the pandemic and assess the association between meeting the Guidelines and perceived social support. A total of 508 undergraduate students registered at 19 universities across Ontario completed the online survey. Only one participant (0.2%) met all recommendations set out in the Guidelines. Biserial correlation revealed a small significant correlation between meeting the sedentary time component of the Guidelines and social support. Meaningful intervention is needed to improve the movement behaviours of university students.