Sex-Specific Associations of Body Mass Index and Health Perception with Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior among University Students

OBJECTIVES The present study aimed to examine the sex-specific associations of body mass index (BMI) and health perception with physical activity and sedentary behavior among university students.METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted among 1,471 university students (533 male and 938 female). BMI was classified as underweight, normal weight, or overweight/obesity. Health perception was dichotomized into high- and low-health perception groups using the median score of the Perception of Health Scale. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, and sedentary behavior was evaluated using the Youth Leisure Time Sedentary Behavior Questionnaire. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and multivariable logistic regression analyses were conducted separately for male and female.RESULTS Physical activity differed significantly by BMI and perceived health in both male and female, with a significant interaction between the two factors observed in the overall sample. Sedentary time differed significantly by BMI and perceived health among male and in the overall sample, but not among female. Overweight/obesity and poor health perception were associated with higher odds of insufficient total physical activity and prolonged total sedentary time, with stronger associations observed among male.CONCLUSIONS BMI and perceived health were significantly associated with physical activity and sedentary behavior among college students, with sex-specific differences in these associations. These findings highlight the need for sex-specific health promotion strategies targeting both physical activity and sedentary behavior.