Colleges across the country are incorporating wellbeing into the curriculum because it educates and empowers the community to be balanced individuals who are equipped to thrive and meet the challenges they will face in the world. There is strong evidence to suggest that the physical wellbeing of college students in the U.S. is in jeopardy because of obesity among college students and the fact that less time is given towards being physically active. In addition, college students tend to dismiss eating the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables needed for a well balanced diet. Finally, college students are consumed with balancing proper sleeping patterns with the rigors of every day life. The purpose of this research study was to examine the physical wellbeing of undergraduate men and women through a self-assessment survey. Specifically, questions were asked regarding student’s physical activity, nutrition, and sleep habits, all of which are learning outcomes for the physical dimension of wellbeing.
Method:
This research project was conducted at a private, liberal arts institution in the midwestern United States. A 23-question survey was developed that assessed physical activity, nutrition, and sleep patterns. Approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board (IRB). Surveys were then administered to all students enrolled in activity and fitness classes within the Basic Instruction Program during the spring semester of 2013. A total of 620 surveys were collected.
Analysis/Results:
There were many findings of the study, however some of the most interesting were:
- the more physically active a student reported being throughout the course of a week, the more sleep they received at night and the more balanced their diet was.
- the top 3 areas of wellbeing identified as important to this group of students was physical, emotional, and relational.
Conclusions:
It appears that students who are physically active on most days of the week are also making appropriate choices regarding their physical wellbeing, such as sleeping the required 8 hours a night and eating a balanced diet.