Metabolic equivalent task assessment for physical activity in medical students

Abstract

Background: The ability to assess energy expenditure (EE) and estimate physical activity (PA) in free-living individuals is extremely important in the global context of non-communicable diseases including malnutrition, overnutrition (obesity), and diabetes. Metabolic equivalent task (MET) is used as a means of expressing the intensity and EE of activities. Aims and Objective: To assess the PA as MET using the International PA Questionnaire (IPAQ). Material and Methods: It was a cross-sectional study conducted on 87 (29 males and 58 females) medical students aged between 18-25 years. Detailed history of PA was taken, so as to find out the type and quality of PA, they were engaged in. In IPAQ (short), questionnaire information was asked about three specific types of activity such as walking, moderate-intensity activities, and vigorous-intensity activities. MET was calculated. Results: It was found that as per MET score calculated from IPAQ, 40%, 47%, and 13% of students fall in low, moderate, and high PA groups, respectively. Conclusion: MET utilization provides a convenient method to describe the functional capacity or exercise tolerance of an individual. It was observed that PA was very low in medical students as calculated by MET.

Physical activity and its relation with body composition among undergraduate medical students in Delhi: a cross sectional study

“…Using short form IPAQ having seven open-ended questions surrounding individuals' last 7-day recall of physical activity it was found that 45.3% were involved in moderate activity, 33% were involved in low activity while only 21.3% were involved in high activity which is similar to that reported by few other studies. 10,11 Around 66.6% medical students were engaged in moderate/ high level of physical activity which is similar to that of 61% reported by Frank et al in their study in US medical students although the questionnaires were different. 12 Padampriya et al using long version of IPAQ found higher percentage of medical students engaged in high physical activity as compared to our study while few other studies have reported higher percentage of students engaged in low category as compared to our study.…”

Patterns of physical activity and its correlation with gender, body mass index among medical students

“…14 In our study medical students did not reach the recommended level of physical activity which is in accordance with several other studies. [4][5][6]15 In the present study the practice of domestic and leisure activity were significantly low in females compared to males, as reported by other studies. [16][17][18] This substantially low physical activity observed among females, is explained by the influencing psychosocial variables among females like self-efficiency, attitudes, perceived barriers, and social support.…”

“…Several studies have reported that medical students do not meet the recommended level of physical activity. 5,6 Other studies have also observed the prevalence of obesity among medical students. 6,7…”

Does visceral fat affect aerobic fitness in Indian adolescents of 18-19 years' age group?

“…Regular physical activity plays a key role in the prevention of cardiovascular diseases as well all-cause mortality. [33,37] Stevens et al reported interrelation of fitness and body mass with cardiovascular mortality. Prevention of visceral fatness by doing regular physical exercise is very useful remedy for prevention of non-communicable diseases and for good aerobic fitness.…”