LIFESTYLE, PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF STUDENTS FROM THE STATE OF AMAZONAS, BRAZIL

Abstract

Introduction: There seems to be an association between unhealthy lifestyles and reduced practice of physical activity as well as decreased cognitive function and academic performance of students. Objective: To investigate the association between lifestyle, physical activity and academic coefficient of undergraduate nursing students from the state of Amazonas, Brazil. Material and methods: This was a cross-sectional, descriptive and correlational study including 51 nursing students, with a mean age of 23.0±0.23 years, mean body mass index of 23.77±3.96 kg/m², and height of 1.64±0.08 m. The data were collected using a socio-demographic questionnaire, the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-IPAQ (short version), and the Fantastic Lifestyle Questionnaire. The data were analyzed descriptively and using Mann-Whitney test, Spearman correlation and Chi-Square test. Results: The students showed adequate lifestyle (92.15%), being classified as physically active (74.50%), with an average academic coefficient of 7.86±0.58 points. High academic coefficient was associated with high levels of physical activity and correlated with balanced diet habits, safe sex and use of seat belts. Conclusions: The level of physical activity may be an important factor for the development of a healthy lifestyle and good academic performance at university. DESCRIPTORS: Life Style. Motor Activity. Underachievement.