Comparing the Physical Activity Patterns of Male and Female Students in the Preparatory Year in Saudi Arabia

Objective: This study examined the differences in physical activity patterns between male and female university students in their Preparatory Year at the University of Dammam in Saudi Arabia. Methodology: The study was a cross-sectional design that recruited 23 males and 23 females from the Art Route of the Preparatory Year at the university (mean BMI was 24.7 ± 6.4 kg/m2 for males and 29.3 ± 8.1 kg/m2 for females). All participants wore accelerometers for 7 consecutive days and completed a diet questionnaire. Results: Male and female students respectively spent 66.4% and 65.8% of their daily waking time sedentary and 30.1% and 32.1% in light physical activity. Males spent significantly more time (3.5%) in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) than females did (2.1%) (P ≤ 0.01). The average levels of MVPA for at least 10 minutes were 14.1 and 12.3 minutes for males and females, respectively. Male and female students spent 65% of their daily sedentary time in prolonged sedentary sessions of more than 20 minutes, with no differences between males and females or between weekdays and weekends. Females showed healthier food habits than males did , through greater vegetable intake (p ≤ 0.05) and lower consumption of fast food, soft drinks, and energy drinks (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusion: Female university students showed lower levels of MVPA compared with males, but they chose healthier food options. Increasing MVPA among female university students should be the priority for university health educators