Abstract

The objective of this study was to identify and compare the participation motives among undergraduate students (N=1039) aged between 17-28 years of King Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals Saudi Arabia. Three categories were made on the basis of Body Mass Idex; normal weight (N=517), overweight (N=244), and obese (N=278). Motivation for Physical Activities Measure- Revised by Ryan et al. (1997) was administered to collect the data. Ranking order applied to investigate the “most important reasons” and “least important reasons” for participation. ANOVA revealed a highly significant difference among categories on interest or enjoyment F(2,1036) =15.15,p=.000; competence F(2,1036)= 15.41, p=.000; appearance F(2,1036) = 3.86, p=.021 and social F(2,1036)= 5.61, p=.004 respectively. No significant difference was observed in the fitness factor F (2, 1039)= .529, p=.590. Tukey’s post hoc was employed to determine significant differences between means. Normal weight students had shown more competence, interest and enjoyment of participation than other categories. Obese and overweight students wanted to improve their appearance. The study concluded that 50% of university students were overweight or obese. An important reason for participation was a fitness factor in the normal BMI category and for the other two categories it was the appearance. The least important reason for participation was social factor.