Relationship between physical activity and constipation in university students

Aim: This study investigates the relationship between the physical activity level and constipation severity in university students. Material and Methods: The study included 155 females with a mean age of 20,93 ± 1,8 years. Mini Nutritional Questionnaire-Short Form (MNQ-SF), International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), The Constipation Severity Instrument (CSI) were used for evaluation. Female students between the ages of 18 and 25 years who received more than 12 points, which means normal nutritional status, from the MNQ-SF were included in the study. Results: The physical activity levels of the cases were compared and we found out that there was no significant difference between groups in the sub-scales and total score of CSI (p>0.05). There was no relationship between subgroups and total score of IPAQ-SF and sub-scales and total score of CSI (p>0.05) Discussion: In conclusion, we couldn’t find a relationship between physical activity level and constipation severity in individuals included in the study. Although this research provides insights into the relationship between the physical activity level and constipation severity in the university student, studies with samples including different age groups should be planned in the more widespread population for future research.