Predicting Physical Activity in South Asian College Students

Physical inactivity is a modifiable and important risk factor associated with chronic disease. It has been shown that regular moderate physical activity is associated with a 30-50% reduction in the risk of heart disease, as well as a reduction in obesity, diabetes, and stroke. South Asian populations, specifically those of Indian, Pakistani, and Bangladeshi ethnic origin have the lowest levels of physical activity compared to African Americans, Caucasians, and Far East Asian groups. South Asian immigrants in the United States have a four time higher prevalence of diabetes than the general population in the U.S. The steepest decline in physical activity levels take place during the ages of 18 to 24. Currently, there are no studies addressing physical activity in South Asian college students. The purpose of this study was to determine the predictors of physical activity in South Asian college students using the constructs of the social cognitive theory (SCT). The method used in this study was a valid and reliable electronic survey measuring the constructs of social support (family and friends), expectations (outcome expectations x outcome expectancies), self-efficacy to perform physical activity, self-efficacy to overcome impediments, and self-control. A pilot study of 27 South Asian students was administered to measure the correlation coefficient of each construct of SCT used in the newly developed survey. The main phase of the study (n=197) was used to determine predictors of physical activity for this ethnic group. Also included, as covariates, were gender and immigration generation.