The Relationship Between Physical Activity and Mental Health Among University Students in Vietnam

Abstract

Purpose: To describe the current status of physical activity of university students in Hanoi Vietnam and to analyze the relationship with mental health in the learning process. 

Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study of 350 students from 3 universities in Hanoi using the IPAQ-SF toolkit. Physical activity classification and assessment is based on IPAQ-SF and according to WHO recommended levels. 

Results: Among the study subjects, 39 students (12.8%) had a high level of physical activity, 118 students had a moderate level (38.6%), and 149 students had a low level of activity (48.7%). The percentage of students who achieve physical activity according to the WHO recommendation is only 35.3%. There was a statistically significant association between the Youth Union and 4 characteristics of gender, school year, BMI and major. 

Conclusion: The level of student contract at 3 universities in Hanoi is still quite low. The university may consider measures to enhance extracurricular activities combined with the Student Council, such as sports clubs, to improve and enhance the mental health of students.