DISTRIBUTION AND DETERMINANTS OF SEDENTARY LIFESTYLE AMONG HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONALS

Abstract

Background:

This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes of health care providers towards physical activity and healthy eating by measuring leisure-time physical activity and food intake patterns.

Methods:

A cross sectional study was conducted on 211 participants using Modifiable Activity Questionnaire and Food Frequency questionnaires at the Jinnah Medical and Dental College (JMDC) and Aga Khan University Medical College (AKUMC). The targeted population was students from year 1 to 5 of MBBS, faculty & staff of medical college. Body composition analysis and questions assessing personal perception of healthy diet and lifestyle were performed.

Results:

Out of the 211 participants in this study, 55.18% spent time sitting at job for 6 or more hours, 33.2% spent at least 2-3 hours on screen time. Only 42.7% individuals exercised for less than 15 minutes in a week. The most consumed food groups in the participants were bread/roti (46.9%) followed by and hot beverages (51.7%). Seventy-one percent regarded their dietary habits as moderately healthy and reported that lack of leisure time (65.9%) and work/family commitment (38.4%) were the major restraints for being physically active. Conclusion: Health professionals followed sedentary lifestyle and unhealthy dietary patterns. The major limitation identified was being lack of time and willingness.