Publication:

A study on patterns of physical activity among medical interns in a teaching Hospital in Secunderabad, Telangana

Background Regular physical activity has been regarded as an important component of healthy life style. Physical inactivity is an important risk factor for the development of many non-communicable diseases like hypertension, obesity, diabetes, coronary artery disease etc.

Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted among 300 medical interns to determine the patterns of physical activity and to assess the motivating factors and barriers for physical activity. A pre designed semistructured questionnaire was used for data collection. Data was entered into MS excel sheet and analyzed by using Epi Info.7.1.3. Version.

Results In the study about 13% of the participants had BMI≥25.00 kg/m2. About 41.7% of the total study population were engaged in some form of physical activity. Motivating factor for performing physical activity was to maintain good health as seen in 49.2% of the participants. Laziness was the major hindering factor for performing physical activity as seen in 56% of the participants. Gender and BMI had no significant relation with physical activity.

Conclusions Less than half of the study population were engaged in physical activity. Most common type of physical activity was walking/running. Most common motivating and hindering factors for performing physical activity were to maintain good health and laziness respectively. Gender and BMI had no significant relation with physical activity.