Studying has good times and bad, but it is worthwhile

This study investigated the effects of Moderate Intensity Continuous Exercise (MICE) on the quality of life and physiological status of obese college students. Employing a Solomon Four-Group experimental design, the research involved 60 obese students from a state university in Negros Occidental. The Quality of Life Scale (QOLS) by John Flanagan measured life quality, while the Philippine Physical Fitness Test assessed physiological status. Descriptive statistics (mean, standard deviation) and inferential tests (independent and dependent t-tests at a 0.05 significance level) were used to analyze the data. Findings revealed that both the MICE (experimental) and Zumba (control) groups improved in life quality from “mostly satisfied” to “delighted” post-intervention. Physiological status, initially “above average” for both groups, improved to “good” in the MICE group but remained “above average” in the Zumba group. Although there were no significant differences in pretest or posttest scores between the groups, both interventions led to statistically significant improvements over time. The results suggest that MICE is comparably effective to Zumba in enhancing life quality and may offer superior benefits for physiological status. These findings support the integration of MICE into wellness programs for obese students as a viable and effective physical activity intervention.

It is undeniable that COVID-19 has impacted all aspects of college student and family life. However, the posttraumatic growth (PTG) framework suggests there are opportunities for growth after traumatic or highly stressful events. To explore PTG in college students during the COVID-19 pandemic, this study recruited parents of college students (N = 1655) from across the U.S. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses revealed that when parents reported that their student experienced more positive impacts of COVID-19 on their relationships and health, received more career support, and when parents reported that their own well-being improved, they were more likely to report that their student experienced PTG. Additionally, parent gender, student first-generation status, and student year in school were also associated with PTG. This is consistent with past research; when parents were well supported during the pandemic, their college students did better and were more likely to uphold academic and graduation plans. Findings underscore the important role of both university resources such as career support, and family resources such as parental well-being in buffering the negative effects of the pandemic and supporting PTG.

Relevance . Bishkek, the capital of the Kyrgyz Republic, is not only an economic, but also an innovative center for managing and responding to medical, demographic, hygienic and epidemiological processes. Urbanization, climate change, and the level of socio-economic well-being of the population have a significant impact on the health of residents, especially young people. The identification of factors determining the quality of life and education of university students is important both for the formation of a healthy lifestyle and for planning effective educational and urban strategies in the social sphere. The purpose of the study : to assess the health of 18–25-year-olds living and studying in a megalopolis in 2020–2022. Materials and methods . The data of the National Statistical Committee of the Kyrgyz Republic and the results of three population censuses were used: 1999, 2009 and 2022. The morbidity rate for 2020–2022 was studied according to the statistical information of the Electronic Health Center of the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic. Analytical and statistical methods were used. Results . The analysis showed that the population of Bishkek as a whole is growing, but the proportion of young people aged 18–25 is decreasing (by 10.5–12.5%). The incidence rates are increasing for all classes of diseases, with five priority classes accounting for 82.4% of the total incidence of the urban population. The relationship between housing conditions, living in an urban environment and the health status of students has been revealed. Conclusion . The study shows the need to introduce mechanisms for assessing the health index of megalopolis residents, taking into account demographic and environmental characteristics. To improve the quality of life and health of young people, it is necessary to develop and implement innovative programs for the formation of health-saving behavior. An integrated approach to planning the urban environment and the educational process for students in the capital of the Kyrgyz state is required.

O ingresso no ensino superior constitui um momento marcante na vida dos jovens estudantes, representando um período de grandes desafios e mudanças. Estudos evidenciam maior possibilidade de aumento corporal nos primeiros anos da vida universitária levando a alterações no estado nutricional do indivíduo. Este estudo objetivou descrever a prevalência e os fatores associados ao ganho de peso em estudantes de uma instituição federal de ensino superior. Foi realizado um estudo transversal com amostra de 279 estudantes, com uso de questionário semiestruturado através de escalas validadas. Para a análise da associação entre as variáveis utilizou-se o modelo de regressão de Poisson com variância robusta, sendo selecionadas as variáveis que apresentaram significância estatística de 20% (p < 0,20) para serem inseridas no modelo multivariado. Para a interpretação dos resultados no modelo final, se considerou p ≤ 0,05. A prevalência de ganho de peso >10% foi de 29,39%. Anos de ingresso, ansiedade, alimentação emocional, IMC atual e percentual de gordura corporal foram associados ao ganho de peso. Esses dados preocupam pois tratam-se de estudantes universitários de um campus multidisciplinar em saúde. Portanto, torna-se importante conhecer as modificações ocorridas no estado nutricional dos estudantes após seu ingresso no ensino superior para traçar estratégias com o foco de debate sobre a importância sobre a temática e implicações na vida do indivíduo dentro do âmbito acadêmico.

Study purpose. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of the physical education program over a semester on physical fitness, sport-specific skills (football and basketball) and the quality of life in elementary school students (7th and 8th grade). Materials and methods. 128 students (64 boys and 64 girls) from three elementary schools, aged 13‒14, participated in the study. A battery of five diagnostic tests was used to assess physical fitness: Modified Agility “T” test, Illinois Agility Run Test, 10x5 Shuttle Run Test, Standing Balance Test and 2-Minute Step in Place Test. Training polygons with elements of sports were used to assess football and basketball skills. Determining the level of quality of life was carried out with a pediatric quality of life questionnaire (Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory TM – PedsQL). Results. The study found statistically significant improvements in the results of most physical fitness tests in all team sports on training polygons, as well as in the level of quality of life for both boys and girls in both grades. Conclusion. It can be concluded that the physical education program was well organized and implemented and thus had a positive effect on improving the psycho-physical status of students.

This study examines the effectiveness of virtual reality (VR) technology as an innovative learning platform in developing intercultural competence, including intercultural knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. The research was based on data from undergraduate STEM students in a first-year technology course at a large public university in the Midwestern U.S. (n = 101). Online questionnaires measuring the universality-diversity dimension, tolerance of ambiguity, intercultural sensitivity, and cultural knowledge were used to collect pre-posttest data pre- and post-intervention. Paired sample t-tests assessing various components of intercultural competence yielded mean score increases from directly before (T1) to two weeks after (T2) the VR intervention. Furthermore, the study tested the specific relationship of participants’ Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI) scores to intercultural competence measures. A linear regression revealed that students’ pre-training IDI and cultural knowledge scores were significant predictors of their MGUDS score change, controlling for demographic variables such as gender, ethnicity, international student status, travel, and life history. Since objective measures of knowledge increased while self-report instruments such as the MGUDS showed mean decreases, the VR-based learning environment seems to have encouraged learners to develop a more realistic self-assessment of their level of intercultural competence. Results from this study suggest the importance of immersion (even when mobility is not possible) in developing intercultural competence and the potentials of VR technology in advancing intercultural learning. Implications for research and practice of intercultural competence development are discussed.

School Health Efforts (UKS) are also health education efforts that are carried out in an integrated, conscious, planned, directed and responsible manner in instilling, growing, developing, and guiding to live, enjoy and implement the principles of healthy living in the daily lives of students. With the enactment of Law Number 32 of 2004, the various UKS implementation programs in each region are basically left entirely to the UKS Guidance Team in their respective regions to determine program priorities.
 Based on the observations of the central UKS Guidance Team, it turns out that the implementation of UKS so far is still not as expected. Therefore, it is deemed necessary to empower the UKS structure at every level in order to strengthen the implementation of UKS programs. As we know, UKS is a vehicle to improve the ability to live a healthy life and the health status of students as early as possible. With the program from the government about the UKS strata level. One of UKS activities is health services for school residents. With the existence of health services at SMP Yapim Deli Tua, UKS equipment in elementary schools must be adequate and meet the standards set by the government. As well as the UKS facilities and infrastructure must be considered by every school.
 With the School Operational Assistance (BOS) fund, schools should be able to allocate funds to complete UKS facilities and infrastructure, but sometimes problems related to UKS facilities and infrastructure are often ignored by the school. In addition to funding problems that affect the fulfillment of UKS facilities and infrastructure needs, there is also limited knowledge of teachers about the strata level in UKS.
 This will also affect the fulfillment of UKS infrastructure facilities. In addition to the knowledge that teachers lack, socialization about strata in UKS by related parties is also lacking. Therefore, there are many factors that cause the lack of facilities and infrastructure at SMP Yapim Deli Tua. The hope is that schools in fulfilling UKS facilities and infrastructure can be fulfilled in their entirety. The reality in schools is that many schools do not meet the adequate UKS infrastructure and in accordance with the recommendations of the government.