Physical Activity as a Non-Invasive Strategy to Address Obesity and Musculoskeletal Risk in First-Year University Students: A Cross-Sectional Study in Spain

Overview

The aim of this retrospective cross-sectional study was to assess physical activity and sedentary behavior levels in first-year university students and to explore their association with obesity and musculoskeletal health risk indicators. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), while body mass index (BMI) was used to classify weight status. Sedentary behavior was interpreted as an indirect indicator of musculoskeletal risk. Understanding these behavioral patterns may help identify at-risk profiles and inform non-invasive prevention strategies in university populations.

Physical inactivity and prolonged sedentary behavior are recognized risk factors for obesity and musculoskeletal health problems, particularly in young adults exposed to long periods of sitting during academic activities. University students represent a population vulnerable to lifestyle-related health risks during the transition to higher education. This retrospective observational study analyzed previously collected data from first-year university students enrolled at Universidad Rey Juan Carlos between September 2023 and June 2024. Physical activity and sedentary behavior were assessed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ), which evaluates activity across work, transportation, and leisure domains. Body mass index was calculated from self-reported height and weight and classified according to World Health Organization criteria. The primary objective of the study was to describe physical activity and sedentary behavior patterns and to examine their associations with obesity and indirect indicators of musculoskeletal risk. No intervention, treatment, randomization, or follow-up procedures were performed as part of this study.

Conditions