Barreras percibidas en jóvenes universitarios para realizar actividad física

Introduction: the high level of sedentary lifestyle in young people is currently a global public health problem. Therefore, it is necessary to gain more knowledge about perceived barriers in non-active people. Objective: to identify the physical activity level in college students and their relationship with the perceived barriers to it. Methods: a cross-sectional study was conducted in 2014 in a sample of 155 students aged 18 to 27 years from a private college in Cali, Colombia. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), short Spanish version and the Barriers to Being Active Quiz (BBAQ) were used as assessment tools. Results: in this group, 75 % of students had a high or moderate physical activity level whereas 25 % exhibited a low level. Caloric waste from strong physical activity was higher in men, caloric output from moderate physical activity was similar between men and women and women remained seated for longer time. It was found that the main barriers for those who recorded lower physical activity levels were lack of time and lack of willingness to practice physical activity. Conclusions: most of the students practice physical activity. A quarter of the student population has sedentary habits. The university authorities interested in promoting healthy lifestyles should face sedentary behavior problems through strategies that lead students to manage their barriers such as perceived lack of time and lack of willingness.