Insufficient Physical Activity and Sedentary Behaviors among Medical Students during the COVID-19 Lockdown: Findings from a Cross-Sectional Study in Pakistan

Irfan Ullah, Md. Saiful Islam, Sajjad Ali, Hashaam Jamil, Muhammad Junaid Tahir, Aatik Arsh, Jaffer Shah and Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam
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Irfan Ullah: Kabir Medical College, Gandhara University, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Md. Saiful Islam: Department of Public Health and Informatics, Jahangirnagar University, Savar, Dhaka 1342, Bangladesh
Sajjad Ali: Ziauddin Medical College, Ziauddin University, Karachi 75600, Pakistan
Hashaam Jamil: Ameer-ud-Din Medical College, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Muhammad Junaid Tahir: Ameer-ud-Din Medical College, Lahore 54000, Pakistan
Aatik Arsh: Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Hayatabad, Peshawar 25000, Pakistan
Jaffer Shah: Department of Global Health, Drexel University College of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19102, USA
Sheikh Mohammed Shariful Islam: Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Burwood, VIC 3125, Australia

IJERPH, 2021, vol. 18, issue 19, 1-10

Abstract: Background: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social distancing and isolation which leads to insufficient physical activity and thereby increases sedentary behaviors. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviors among medical students during the COVID-19 lockdown in Pakistan, and to determine their associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among 407 medical students from the Punjab and Sindh provinces between May and June 2020. To collect data, an e-questionnaire was sent to obtain informed consent along with questions concerning socio-demographics as well as an International Physical Activity Questionnaires–Short Form (IPAQ–SF). Results: As per the IPAQ, almost five in ten participants were physically inactive (48.2%), and 45.2% reported sedentary behaviors. Participants with insufficient physical activity were more likely to report sedentary behaviors than their counterparts (AOR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.66–3.85, p < 0.001). The odds of insufficient physical activity were higher among the participants who did not strictly follow the COVID-19 preventive measures (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI = 1.35–4.69, p = 0.004); similarly, there were increased odds of sedentary behaviors observed among participants within a normal weight range compared to those who were underweight (AOR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.76–4.11, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior are prevalent among medical students in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings indicate the importance of establishing tailored policies and programs to encourage young adults to engage in physical activity.

Keywords: exercise; physical activity; BMI; medical students; COVID-19; Pakistan (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2021
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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