INVESTIGATION OF PHYSICAL ACTIVITY LEVELS AND DETERMINANTS IN MEDICAL STUDENTS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the levels of physical activity in medical faculty students and identify factors associated with their physical activity levels. Material and Method: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 171 medical students in the Cerrahpaa Faculty of Medicine between November 2022 and February 2023. The questionnaires were administered via an online form. The questionnaire consisted of a global physical activity questionnaire and questions about personal characteristics such as sex, weight and height. Result: The prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle was 12.9%. A significant difference in weekly metabolic equivalent of task (MET) scores was found between the sexes (p=0.02), with males being more active than females. Travel was the most prevalent subdomain among medical students. There was a significant difference between sex groups in the vigorous recreation subdomain (p<0.001), with males being more active. There was no statistically significant difference between the grades in terms of weekly MET scores. A significant correlation was found between body mass index and the vigorous recreation subdomain. (1=0.184, p=0.016). Conclusion: The prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle was 12.9%, and males had significantly greater MET scores than females. In addition, males were found to have higher MET scores for vigorous recreation than females. Besides, the physical activity attitudes of physicians influence the effectiveness of lifestyle recommendations to patients. In this respect, this study will provide valuable information for improving the general health and well-being of medical students, promoting physical activity and eliminating differences between sex groups.