The relatıonshıp between the levels of exercıse behavıor of unıversıty students and theır knowledge and attıtude to body composıtıon

The prevalence of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents is increasing due to inactivity and lack of knowledge about body composition in the world and in Turkey. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between university students' exercise behavior levels and their knowledge and attitudes towards body composition. During the 2020-2021 academic year, the access links of the questionnaires prepared on the Google database were sent to 5457 students attending at faculties and colleges in the city center of Amasya University, and a total of 1280 volunteers participated in the research within 15 days. For the statistical analysis of the data cross tables and the Mann Whitney U test to compare of two groups, and Spermann rank order correlation coefficients to determine the relationships between the variables were calculated, respectively. The results of this study show that while males were significantly older, taller, heavier, with higher BMI and more physically active than females while health level, smoking rates and monthly income levels were not different between both sexes. Just "To what extent do you think obesity is harmful to health?" perception is greater in females. Compared to sedentary group, males participating regular physical activity were statistically older, had higher levels of exercise behavior, consider obesity to be highly detrimental to health, and are satisfied with their current weight status. Females participating regular physical activity, had a statistically significant higher exercise behavior level, considering obesity as more harmful to health, were less satisfied with their current weight status, tend to change their current weight status significantly more, and were less pleased when they looked in the mirror. In conclusion, universities should plan and implement physical and sportive activity and education programs aimed at increasing the quality of life, based on data collected through scientific methods. Keywords: Physical activity, health, happiness, knowledge about obesity.