PHYSICAL ACTIVITY, LEISURE HABITS, STRESS, ANXIETY AND QUALITY OF LIFE AMONG BRAZILIAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS: BARRIERS TO LEARNING?

Studies on the lifestyle of university students are recent and scarce in Brazil while some investigations from different countries haves studied theissue so far . The goal of this study was to analyze the levels of current physical activity (PA, habits of leisure activities (LA), depression (D), stress (S), anxiety (A) and the quality of life (QoL) among Brazilian university students. A total of 504 brazilian university students (343 females, 161 males) were included in the survey. It was utilized the short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), Habits of Leisure Activities Scale (HLAS), Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scales-21 (DASS-21) and the World Health Organization Quality of Life -Abbreviated form (WHOQOL-BREF). The results showed that 71,2% of students reported active physically. Females were more active physically than males. Clinically, relevant levels of depression (28,4%), anxiety (30,5%) and stress (37,5%) were observed. Female students showed higher levels of depression, anxiety and stress when compared to male students. The levels of quality of life were higher among male students. Studies have demonstrated the relationship between PA and QoL. However, variables such LA, D, S and A play important role in a similar manner. Physically, active lifestyle was relevant QoL predictor. However, the QoL should to be examined in a multifactorial perspective, especially among university students. The transition for university life can have implications regarding economic, emotional and other conditions. Variables such as gender, age, course area, lifestyle in general should to be considered as well. Particular emphasis should be placed on all these issues because theyhave an influence on the learning in university.