Sedentary Behavior Case Study

Sedentary behavior, as defined in this study by The International Journal of the First Year in Higher Education, is recognized as "any waking activity that involves sitting or reclining and has an energy expenditure of less than 1.5 metabolic equivalents.” In this study, 218 first year health science students in their second semester at the University of South Australia were asked to recall one to two days of activity, with 600 different activities to choose from in time increments as precise as five minutes. The study aimed to find a relationship between sedentary behavior among first year undergraduates and psychological distress. Psychological distress was measured using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale, with the total scores on

Aerobic exercises have been proved to reduce anxiety and depression, and I have experience in my personal life with friends that claim going to the gym is rewarding as it clears their head and boosts their self-esteem. Being a first year undergraduate myself, I thought this article would be relatable and perhaps motivating.
I was actually quite surprised that no association was found between sedentary behavior and psychological distress. It seems to me that people with an active lifestyle are generally more positive than those who are not. However, this is completely my interpretation. I am aware that exercise triggers a natural release of endorphins, which induces feelings of pleasure. This led me to believe that there would be some type of relationship between not partaking in any physical activity and psychological distress.
Admittedly, I do not exercise nearly as much as my counterparts appear to, and I frequently engage in sedentary behavior. Fortunately, my metabolism is on my side. However, I sometimes experience periods of high stress and anxiety. In an effort to combat this, many people have suggested joining a gym or taking up running as a hobby. While I know it would probably prove effective, I have yet to take this

However, delegates at the 2014 17th International First Year in Higher Education Conference provided positive feedback and expressed an interest in further researching this topic. In particular, the delegates expressed interest in a closer examination of the individual activities students engaged in, while studying a larger group and focusing on possible differences by gender.
I would not change any of the methods or procedures used in this study. Before reading it, I wondered how the levels of psychological distress in each student would be measured. By using the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale to obtain results in the study, I feel like my concern became a non-issue. As the delegates implied, I believe a larger sample would benefit the research in the future.
I believe it is important to research different components of student life for several reasons. College is perhaps the most dramatic change of lifestyle one may experience in his or her lifetime. It is also one of the most unique experiences. Mental health has become a critical issue among college students. For this reason, I believe it is important to investigate different ways to improve the mental wellbeing of