Promote healthy lifestyle through social media

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 68 views

Introduction

Sedentari behavior has become an integral part of the lifestyle of people across various age groups. This behavior refers to outdoor activities that have very low calorie expenditure, usually under 1.5 met (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). The increasing prevalence of sedentari behavior has been linked to various health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases. As a result, it is essential to identify the factors that contribute to sedentari behavior, particularly among university students. This study aims to investigate the factors related to sedentari behavior in students of the University of North Sumatra.

Methodology

This study employed a quantitative approach and cross-sectional method to collect data from 415 respondents selected through the sampling technique of tables. The data collection process involved distributing questionnaires through the WhatsApp chat application and QR code. The questionnaires were designed to gather information on various factors that may influence sedentari behavior, including knowledge, attitudes, self-efficacy, social and physical environment, and social media exposure.

Data Analysis

The data analysis involved the use of univariate and bivariate tests, including Chi-Square statistical tests. The results of the analysis showed that there was no significant relationship between the knowledge and behavior of the University of North Sumatra, with the value of P = 0.889. In addition, student attitudes were also not related to sedentari behavior, with p = 0.230. However, this study found that there was a significant relationship between self-efficacy and sedentari behavior, with the value of P = 0.006. Meanwhile, the social and physical environment of students did not show significant relationships with sedentari behavior, with p = 0.609 and p = 0.563 respectively. Interestingly, this study also found a relationship between social media exposure and sedentari behavior, with a value of P = 0.005.

Results

The results of this study suggest that self-efficacy plays a crucial role in determining the extent to which students are involved in physical activity. This implies that increasing students' confidence in physical activities can be an effective strategy to reduce sedentary behavior. Furthermore, exposure to social media can also be a driving factor that affects sedentary behavior. With the increasing number of content presented on social media that encourage physical activity, students are expected to be more motivated to participate in more active activities.

Discussion

The findings of this study have several implications for the development of strategies to reduce sedentari behavior among university students. Firstly, it is essential to create an environment that supports students to increase physical activity. This can be achieved through awareness campaigns about the importance of health and active lifestyle. Secondly, students should be encouraged to participate in daily physical activities to maintain physical, mental, and emotional health. Proper education and support from the surrounding environment can be the key to creating positive changes in student behavior towards physical activity.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study has identified several factors that contribute to sedentari behavior among university students. The findings suggest that self-efficacy and social media exposure are significant predictors of sedentari behavior. Therefore, it is essential to develop strategies that target these factors to reduce sedentary behavior among university students. By increasing students' confidence in physical activities and promoting a healthy lifestyle through social media, we can create a positive change in student behavior towards physical activity.

Recommendations

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Increase self-efficacy: Universities should provide opportunities for students to engage in physical activities that can help increase their confidence in physical activities.
Promote healthy lifestyle through social media: Universities should encourage students to participate in social media campaigns that promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity.
Create a supportive environment: Universities should create an environment that supports students to increase physical activity, including through awareness campaigns about the importance of health and active lifestyle.
Provide education and support: Universities should provide education and support to students to help them understand the importance of physical activity and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

By implementing these recommendations, universities can create a positive change in student behavior towards physical activity and reduce sedentari behavior among university students.

Q: What is sedentari behavior?

A: Sedentari behavior refers to outdoor activities that have very low calorie expenditure, usually under 1.5 met (Metabolic Equivalent of Task). This type of behavior is characterized by a lack of physical activity and can lead to various health problems, including obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases.

Q: Why is sedentari behavior a concern among university students?

A: University students are at a critical stage of their lives, and sedentari behavior can have long-term consequences on their physical and mental health. Sedentari behavior can lead to a sedentary lifestyle, which can increase the risk of chronic diseases, reduce academic performance, and negatively impact mental health.

Q: What are the factors that contribute to sedentari behavior among university students?

A: The factors that contribute to sedentari behavior among university students include:

Lack of self-efficacy: Students who lack confidence in their ability to engage in physical activities are more likely to engage in sedentari behavior.
Social media exposure: Exposure to social media can influence students' behavior and encourage sedentari behavior.
Social and physical environment: The social and physical environment of students can also influence their behavior and contribute to sedentari behavior.

Q: How can universities reduce sedentari behavior among students?

A: Universities can reduce sedentari behavior among students by:

Increasing self-efficacy: Universities can provide opportunities for students to engage in physical activities that can help increase their confidence in physical activities.
Promoting healthy lifestyle through social media: Universities can encourage students to participate in social media campaigns that promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity.
Creating a supportive environment: Universities can create an environment that supports students to increase physical activity, including through awareness campaigns about the importance of health and active lifestyle.
Providing education and support: Universities can provide education and support to students to help them understand the importance of physical activity and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Q: What are the benefits of reducing sedentari behavior among university students?

A: Reducing sedentari behavior among university students can have numerous benefits, including:

Improved physical health: Reducing sedentari behavior can help students maintain a healthy weight, reduce the risk of chronic diseases, and improve overall physical health.
Improved mental health: Reducing sedentari behavior can help students reduce stress, anxiety, and depression, and improve overall mental health.
Improved academic performance: Reducing sedentari behavior can help students improve their concentration, memory, and overall academic performance.
Increased productivity: Reducing sedentari behavior can help students increase their productivity, motivation, and overall quality of life.

Q: How can students reduce sedentari behavior?

A: Students can reduce sedentari behavior by:

Engaging in physical activities: Students can engage in physical activities, such as sports, exercise, or other physical activities, to increase their physical activity levels.
Using social media positively: Students can use social media positively by participating in social media campaigns that promote a healthy lifestyle and physical activity.
Creating a supportive environment: Students can create a supportive environment by encouraging their friends and peers to engage in physical activities and promoting a healthy lifestyle.
Seeking education and support: Students can seek education and support from their university or healthcare professionals to help them understand the importance of physical activity and how to maintain a healthy lifestyle.

By reducing sedentari behavior, university students can improve their physical and mental health, increase their productivity, and improve their overall quality of life.