Assessment and Correlation of Physical Activity and Mental Health Status of Medical Students at One of the Medical Colleges of Karnataka, India

Abstract

ntroduction: Physical inactivity and the associated health problems pose a current and growing threat to public health. People with sedentary behaviour are at higher risk of suffering from symptoms of anxiety and depression. Medical students suffer very high levels of psychiatric illness, depression, suicide, dependence on alcohol and drug abuse. Objectives: 1. To assess the level of physical activity and mental health status among medical students. 2. To compare the mental health status in relation to the adequacy level of physical activity among them. Method: Cross-sectional study was conducted among 145 undergraduate medical students. Data was collected using pre-tested and pre-designed proforma. International Physical activity Questionnaire short form (IPAQ-SF) and General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) were used to assess level of physical activity and mental health status respectively. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS version 27.0. Descriptive statistics and chi-square test was applied. Results: Among 145 medical students, 60% and 16.55% were found to have moderate and low physical activity. Distress and psychological distress was found to be among 27.59% and 22.75% students. It was found that, 50% of the participants, who were doing low level of physical activity were found to be distressed, which was found to be statistically significant. (χ2 = 10.826, df = 4, p = 0.02859073). Conclusion: Physical activity and mental health are related proportionally. Regular physical activity has the potential to reduce anxiety, distress, and depression. Importance of physical activity, which has positive influence must be emphasised to reduce mental stress among medical students.