A longitudinal investigation of physical activity and health behaviours among Italian university students.

Sedentary lifestyle is one of the ten leading causes of death and disability in the world [1]. Physical inactivity increases all causes mortality and the risk of cardiovascular disease, hypertension, type II diabetes, obesity, osteoporosis, colon and breast cancer, depression, and anxiety [2]. Yet, around the world, physical activity levels are decreasing, particularly among young people. It is estimated that less than 35% of young people are sufficiently active to benefit their present and future health and well-being [1]. This is discouraging for a number of reasons. First, research suggests that patterns of physical activity adopted at a young age are likely to persist into adulthood [3, 4]. Second, involvement in physical activity and sports may encourage the adoption of other health behaviors such as a healthy diet, better safety practices such as seatbelt use, and the avoidance of health risk behaviors such as tobacco and alcohol use [5, 6]. Thus, physical activity may influence health outcomes both directly and indirectly through the encouragement of other behaviors that promote health and reduce the risk of accident and injury. © 2007 Springer-Verlag Italia.