Physical activity as a core component of the nursing curriculum

Physical inactivity on a global scale is one of the greatest public health problems in Western society. A contributing factor may be the lower level of attention received from healthcare professionals (HCP) such as nurses and medical doctors to recommend and provide guidance on how to engage in PA. Promoting the health benefits of PA is an important role of these HCPs and, as such, has been included in healthcare curricular.1 Regrettably, HCPs less than exemplary health practices not only impact their PA advice, their message is less likely to be deemed credible if they are not following their own advice. Understanding the discipline-specific factors that predict PA in this undergraduate cohort of HCPs is important so that curricular can be tailored to support healthy lifestyle before they enter the workforce.