Self-efficacy, Physical Activity Enjoyment and BMI Status of Turkish University Students

Abstract

This study examined the self efficacy and physical activity enjoyment, and their possible associations with body mass index (BMI) and gender between university students. The sample was comprised of 173 participants, 86 males and 87 females ranging in age from 18 to 32 years. The participants were the Self-efficacy Scale and the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Analysis of data revealed there were no significant differences in both physical activity enjoyment and self-efficacy scores for genders (p > 0.05), while there was a significant difference in BMI for gender (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences for the physical activity enjoyment (p > 0.05), while there were significant differences between self-efficacy (p < 0.05) and BMI levels according to physical activity participation (p < 0.05). These differences show that higher physical activity enjoyment and self-efficacy levels affect participation in physical activity and it would lead to ideal BMI levels for university students.