University students' satisfaction with, interest in improving, and receptivity to attending programs aimed at health and well-being

Abstract

The purpose of this pilot study is to investigate students' (a) satisfaction with nine health constructs, (b) interest in improving these health areas, and (c) receptivity to participating in programming targeting these areas. The study sample is composed of 1,778 undergraduate students from a Canadian university. Students complete a five-page paper-and-pencil questionnaire assessing the above objectives along a 5-point Likert-type scale. Students are most satisfied with their social health and report their lowest satisfaction with physical activity (M = 3.16, SD = 1.09). Overall, students are most interested in enhancing their physical activity (M = 4.10, SD = 0.79), followed by both body image (M = 3.94, SD = 0.89) and dietary habits (M = 3.94, SD = 0.85), and are receptive to programs aimed at improving their level of physical activity (M = 3.62, SD = 0.98) and body image (M = 3.42, SD = 1.63). A preference for physical activity level and body image improvement among university students is revealed and should be considered of paramount importance by campus-based health promotion practitioners.