Abstract

OLIVARES C, Sonia; LERA M, Lydia  and  BUSTOS Z, Nelly. STAGES OF CHANGE, BENEFITS AND BARRIERS ON PHYSICAL ACTIVITY AND FRUIT AND VEGETABLES INTAKE IN CHILEAN UNIVERSITY STUDENTS. Rev. chil. nutr. [online]. 2008, vol.35, n.1, pp. 25-35. ISSN 0717-7518.  doi: 10.4067/S0717-75182008000100004.

As baseline for health promotion and education interventions design, the stages of change, benefits and barriers in physical activity and fruit and vegetables intake were studied in 449 university students from Santiago. Instruments internationally validated and adapted to the country were applied. In physical activity, men were significant more active than women. Benefits like «I feel well» o «it is entertaining» were more common in men and «to loose weight» was most common in women. Lack of time was the main barrier in both genders. 58% ate 1-2 portions of fruit and vegetables/daily and only 5% ate 5 portions daily. The main benefit associated with fruit and vegetables intake was «to be healthy». Women were more motivated. «I am lazy for preparing them» or «I forget to eat them» were the most common barriers in both genders. These results will be useful in health promotion and education interventions with university students

Keywords : university students; stages of change; attitudes; physical activity; fruit & vegetables intake.