Investigating Gender Differences in Physical Activity Behavior and Social Cognitions among First-Year Medical Students

Katrina D'Urzo,Andrea Brennan,Iain Mcphee,Rebecca Lau,Celina Shirazipour,Badr Hefnawi,Brittany Mceachern,Ashley Johnson,Alyssa Fenuta,Jennifer Tomasone

doi:10.15694/mep.2019.000207.1

Abstract

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Background: Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior, we examined gender differences in physical activity (PA) behavior and social cognitions (SC; i.e., attitudes, perceived behavioral control, intentions and subjective norms) among first-year medical students. Methods: In October 2015, first-year medical students from across Ontario [n=95; 23±2 years (31 males)] completed questionnaires assessing PA levels and SC. Results: Men reported greater moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) per week compared to women (243.3 ± 224.7 min/week vs. 145.4 ± 127.8 min/week, p=0.042). No differences in SC toward PA were observed between genders (all ps>0.05). Bivariate correlations revealed that perceived behavioral control and intentions to participate in PA correlated with MVPA in both genders (all rs>0.348; all ps<0.05); however, attitudes (pleasantness and enjoyment) predicted MVPA solely amongst men (all rs>0.492; all ps<0.001). Conclusions: Findings provide insight into the theoretical constructs that influence medical students' PA, and how these factors may differ between genders. Findings can be used to tailor interventions to increase PA among medical students.

Highlights

Regular physical activity (PA) participation is strongly associated with improved overall health (Warburton, Nicol and Bredin, 2006); the proportion of adults meeting guideline-recommended PA levels remains low (Hallal et al, 2012) and promotional efforts to increase PA participation have found variable success (Vuori, Lavie and Blair, 2013)
Participants Individuals were recruited via convenience sampling and were considered eligible to participate if they were in their first year of medical school and attended the 2015 Ontario Medical Students’ Weekend, a provincial conference introducing first-year medical students across Ontario to foundational clinical skills and information
Men reported significantly higher moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) minutes per week compared to women (p=0.042; Table 2)

Summary

Introduction

Regular physical activity (PA) participation is strongly associated with improved overall health (Warburton, Nicol and Bredin, 2006); the proportion of adults meeting guideline-recommended PA levels remains low (Hallal et al, 2012) and promotional efforts to increase PA participation have found variable success (Vuori, Lavie and Blair, 2013). Considerable evidence suggests that a physician’s personal PA levels correlate with their PA counseling habits (Abramson et al, 2000; Lobelo, Duperly and Frank, 2009; Lobelo and de Quevedo, 2016). The undergraduate medical school curriculum represents an important opportunity to develop evidence-based health promotion interventions that encourage future physicians to adopt and promote active lifestyles (Chen et al, 2013). Recent reports indicate that in the 2016 – 2017 academic term, 11 698 (Enrollment in Canadian Faculties of Medicine, 2017) and 88 222 (Association of American Medical Colleges, 2018) medical students were enrolled in Canadian and American faculties of medicine, respectively; highlighting the potential student health impact of evidence-based PA promotion interventions within the medical school curriculum. Applying the Theory of Planned Behavior, we examined gender differences in physical activity (PA) behavior and social cognitions (SC; i.e., attitudes, perceived behavioral control, intentions and subjective norms) among first-year medical students

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Conclusion