A cross-sectional study on assessment of physical activity level and anthropometric indicators of health risk among students of sixth year of Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University

Abstract

Overweight and obesity are major public health issues worldwide. There is increased risk of obesity‐related morbidity due to accumulation of abdominal fat. Regulation of body weight depends on physical activity and diet. Young adulthood is very critical period due to a tendency to gain weight and adopt poor dietary and exercise habits. This study aimed to investigate the relationships of the anthropometrical parameters with physical activity domains in everyday life and sedentary behavior among students of sixth year of the Faculty of Medicine of Sarajevo University. A cross-sectional study was conducted during May 2020. The survey covered 56 students, aged 24, who responded online to questionnaire. A self-administered questionnaire composed of two blocks of questions. In the first block of the questionnaire, questions were related to sex, and anthropometric measures. The second block referred to the practice of physical activity (vigorous, moderate, and walking), and sitting during seven days. The data collected were processed by the descriptive statistical procedure. Overweight and obesity was found at 11(19.65%). In sample 46.43% performed vigorous intensity activities that meet with WHO criteria, 58.93 performed moderate intensity activities that meet with WHO criteria, and 39.29% performed walking activities that meet with WHO criteria. There were positive, statistically significant difference between indicators of abdominal obesity and the average time spent during 7 days in vigorous physical activity. Health and physical educators can utilize these findings to better understand that physical activity, trying to balance diet and activities.

Motives and Barriers for Regular Physical Activity among Medical Students from the Western Balkans (South-East Europe Region)

“…Similar to a study in Martinović et al [ 23 ] conducted in Split, Republic of Croatia, where more than half of biomedical students engage in some kind of regular PA, the impact of greater knowledge about healthy behavior for maintaining good health and preventing disease, was emphasized as the main factor that impacts PA [ 23 ]. Pavičić-Žeželj et al [ 24 ], in a study conducted in Rijeka (Republic of Croatia), and Ćatović and Halilović [ 25 ], in a study conducted in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), among medical students, indicate that normal weight is highly associated with the regular engagement in PA, which was not statistically significant in our paper. The same studies indicate that male students engaged in some kind of PA more often and had higher levels of PA, compared to female students [ 25 ].…”

“…Pavičić-Žeželj et al [ 24 ], in a study conducted in Rijeka (Republic of Croatia), and Ćatović and Halilović [ 25 ], in a study conducted in Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), among medical students, indicate that normal weight is highly associated with the regular engagement in PA, which was not statistically significant in our paper. The same studies indicate that male students engaged in some kind of PA more often and had higher levels of PA, compared to female students [ 25 ]. Different studies report that low levels of PA are associated with a low household income [ 26 ], while others associate it with high physical inactivity [ 27 ].…”

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Physical Activity among Medical Students from the Western Balkans

“…Pavičić-Žeželj et al [45] in a study conducted among students of the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Rijeka (Republic of Croatia) point out that students with normal BMI are usually more physically active and that the desire for maintaining good health could contribute to a higher motivation to maintain a healthy lifestyle. A study by Catovic and Halilovic [46] conducted among medical students from the Faculty of Medicine of University of Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina) shows that there is a positive association between obesity and the average time spent in vigorous PA. Catovic and Halilovic [46] highlight that it is important to raise awareness about higher energy intake compared to energy consumption that may lead to the increase in body weight, and that PA is necessary to maintain a normal body mass and sustain good health.…”

Prevalence and associated factors of overweight and obesity among medical students from the Western Balkans (South-East Europe Region)

“…The inverse relationship between PA and BMI has been widely reported by much research [ 10 , 23 , 47 , 48 ]. Catovic and Halilović [ 47 ] in study conducted in Bosnia, and Hemmingsson et al [ 48 ] in a study conducted in Sweden, suggest that high BMI is significantly associated with higher PA levels in obese individuals.…”

“…The inverse relationship between PA and BMI has been widely reported by much research [ 10 , 23 , 47 , 48 ]. Catovic and Halilović [ 47 ] in study conducted in Bosnia, and Hemmingsson et al [ 48 ] in a study conducted in Sweden, suggest that high BMI is significantly associated with higher PA levels in obese individuals. This is in accordance with the results in a study by Ilić et al [ 11 ] where the main motive for regular PA was to reduce weight in students who were OWOB and the PA motivation is stronger among female medical students from the Western Balkans than it is among their male counterparts.…”