Abstract
Physical activity and health-promoting behaviors among nursing students in the Podlaskie Voivodeship: contextualizing socio-health changes in Poland (2016–2026)
Independent Researcher, Cracow, Poland
Children’s Rehabilitation Clinic, Medical University of Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
Department of Physical Education and Tourism, The Eastern European University of Applied Sciences in Bialystok, Bialystok, Poland
Department of Sports Medicine and Human Nutrition, University of Physical Culture in Cracow, Cracow, Poland
International Academy of Applied Sciences in Lomza, Lomza, Poland
Family Medicine & Primary Care Review 2026; 28(3): 269–276
Background
The study was conducted in two independent cohorts of nursing students from the Podlaskie Voivodeship: in 2016 (n = 302) and in 2026 (n = 312). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, short form), the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) by Juczyński, and somatic measurements, including calculation of body mass index (BMI), were used. Differences between groups were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Objectives
The aim of this study was to assess changes in the level of physical activity, selected somatic parameters, and health-promoting behaviors of nursing students over a 10-year period.
Material and methods
The study was conducted in two independent cohorts of nursing students from the Podlaskie Voivodeship: in 2016 (n = 302) and in 2026 (n = 312). The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ, short form), the Health Behavior Inventory (HBI) by Juczyński, and somatic measurements, including calculation of body mass index (BMI), were used. Differences between groups were assessed using the Mann-Whitney U test.
Results
In 2026, there was a notable decline in both the median total physical effort and the proportion of high-intensity activity, with a significant decrease observed (p < 0.001). This decline coincided with an increase in sedentary behavior, as the time spent sitting rose from 187.5 to 299.0 minutes per day. Furthermore, the Health Behavior Inventory indicated a significant deterioration in dietary habits and mental attitudes (p < 0.05), while the level of preventive behaviors remained relatively stable. Consequently, this overall reduction in physical activity and the worsening of lifestyle choices led to a significant increase in the average BMI and the percentage of individuals categorized as overweight and obese compared to 2016 (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
The last decade has brought unfavorable changes in the lifestyle of nursing students, manifested by an “epidemic of weight gain”, an increase in sedentary behaviors, and reduced attention to mental health. There is an urgent need to implement targeted intervention programs at medical universities so that future healthcare professionals can credibly fulfill the role of healthy-lifestyle promoters.
Keywords
physical activity, students, nursing, health behavior, body mass index, lifestyle
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