Exploring Sex Differences in Physical Activity and Its Psychosocial and Environmental Determinants among College Students in Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Although the importance of physical activity for health is well-established, engagement remains low among college students in Saudi Arabia, with a pronounced disparity between males and females. However, there is a lack of empirical research examining the unique psychosocial and environmental predictors of physical activity through a sex-stratified lens among Saudi college students. Purpose: This study had two primary aims: (a) to examine sex differences in total physical activity and its related self-efficacy, social support from family and friends, and environmental support; and (b) to identify the unique predictors of total physical activity among male and female college students in Saudi Arabia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was employed with a sample of 540 college students recruited from one university in Eastern Saudi Arabia. Multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) was used to examine sex differences, and hierarchical multiple regression analyses, stratified by sex, were conducted to identify unique predictors of total physical activity. Results: The MANOVA was statistically significant (p < .001, ηp² = .058). Follow-up univariate ANOVAs revealed that males reported significantly higher levels of total physical activity (p = .009), self-efficacy (p = .006), social support from friends (p < .001), and environmental support (p = .012) than females. Among males, the final regression model explained 15% of the variance in total physical activity (p < .001), with self-efficacy (β = .15, p = .022), social support from friends (β = .14, p = .047), and gym attendance (β = .17, p = .011) emerging as significant predictors. Among females, the final model explained 13% of the variance in total physical activity (p < .001), with self-efficacy (β = .20, p < .001) and family social support (β = .16, p = .010) emerging as significant predictors. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of sex-specific approaches to address physical inactivity and related disparities among college students in Saudi Arabia. Interventions should focus on enhancing self-efficacy for both sexes while leveraging peer support for male students and family support for female students. A sex-specific intervention plan, informed by these findings and tailored to the local sociocultural context, is presented.