Objective To analyze the constitution

health status and future trends among university students in Xi′an

which may provide references for planning and implementing university sports and health work in a scientific manner.Methods Using a stratified sampling method

we conducted a survey among university students from randomly selected four universities in Xi’an

Shaanxi Province

in 2005

2010 and 2014

respectively.Data including the body shape

physical functions

sports abilities（e.g.speed

strength

flexibility

strength endurance

and endurance）

and nutritional status of all participants were collected for statistical analysis.Results Findings of the three surveys were analyzed and compared.In terms of body shape

participants′height and body mass tended to increase from year to year

and the difference was statistically significant between different years（P<0.05）.In terms of sports abilities

the score of Standing Long Jump tended to decrease from year to year

and the difference was statistically significant between different years（P<0.05）;the sit-and-reach score also differed significantly from year to year（P<0.05）

and the average score of rural male students was significantly better than that of urban male students（P<0.05）;the scores of pull-ups and 1 000 meter run in male students differed significantly from year to year（P<0.05）

and the average scores of both tests in rural male students were significantly better than that of urban male students（P<0.05）;the scores of1 min sit-ups and 800 meter run in female students differed significantly from year to year（P<0.05）

and the score of 1 min sit-ups in rural female students was lower than that of urban female students

but the score of800 meter run in rural female students was higher than that of urban female students（P<0.05）.In terms of nutritional status

among male students the prevalence of malnutrition tended to decrease

while the prevalence of obesity tended to increase from year to year

and the differences were statistically significant between different years（P<0.05）;among female students the prevalence of obesity differed significantly from year to year（P<0.05）

but the prevalence of malnutrition remained generally unchanged.Conclusion University students still have some health problems

such as decreased sports abilities

increased prevalence of obesity in males

and unchanged prevalence of malnutrition in females.The main reason for these problems is a lack of effective physical exercise among this population.It is important to develop students′interest in physical exercise and enhance their health awareness

so as to create the habit of physical exercise and thus greatly improve the sports abilities among university students.