Physical activity as an integral part of overall wellness in the college/emerging-adult population

Physical Activity (PA), and conversely, inactivity, are related to overall health and wellness at all stages of life. The benefits of engaging in life-long PA are numerous and include benefits for overall individual physical, mental, and social health, but also benefits to overall community and population health. Individuals transitioning from their teenage years into their emerging adult/early adult years (18-24 years old) currently represent approximately 61% of the United States college student population. This group is at risk for declining PA levels throughout their college years, thus influencing the health habits they carry with them into adulthood. Colleges and Universities are uniquely positioned to help shape and reinforce adoption of overall health and wellness in the college student population. Working collaboratively with all campus stakeholders to decrease sedentary time and increase PA levels through integrative evidence-based interventions will lead to improved health outcomes for individual students and campus community health overall.