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.