Nivel de actividad física y comportamiento sedentario de los estudiantes de medicina en Latinoamérica

Physical inactivity represents a global challenge in public health, being the second most significant factor contributing to mortality. In Latin America, the prevalence of physical inactivity and sedentary behaviour is notable, affecting medical students as well, who play a crucial role as behavioural role models for the population. This study addresses the prevalence of physical activity and sedentary behaviour among medical students in Latin America during the year 2023. A total of 864 participants from 12 institutions across eight countries were surveyed using the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire. Significant variations in physical activity and sedentary behaviour were observed according to sex, age, body mass index, academic year, and country. Notably, Costa Rica exhibited the highest levels of moderate physical activity in leisure time (90 minutes/day). Strength training was more common among men (60 minutes/day) and in Argentina (60 minutes/day). Sedentary behaviour was higher in women (420 minutes/week) and during the first academic year (485 minutes/week). Uruguay stood out with high levels of sedentary behaviour (600 minutes/week). Correlations indicated positive moderate associations between academic year and moderate leisure-time PA (r:0,128, p:0,007). In conclusion, there are associations between the level of physical activity and sedentary behaviour with the variables studied in this research, with the main findings being that the female sex has more time spent in sedentary behaviour (minutes/week) and less time spent in strength training (minutes/week). Additionally, there are higher levels of sedentary behaviour in the early years of medical study compared to the later years of the program.

身体活动不足已成为全球公共卫生领域的重大挑战，是导致死亡的第二大高危因素。在拉丁美洲，身体活动不足与久坐行为的患病率居高不下，这一现状同样波及医学生群体——医学生作为大众的行为榜样，肩负着至关重要的示范作用。本研究针对2023年拉丁美洲医学生的身体活动与久坐行为患病率展开调查。本研究采用全球身体活动问卷（Global Physical Activity Questionnaire），对来自8个国家12所院校的864名参与者进行了调研。研究发现，不同性别、年龄、体质量指数、学年以及国家的参与者，其身体活动与久坐行为均存在显著差异。值得注意的是，哥斯达黎加参与者的闲暇时间中等强度身体活动水平最高，达90分钟/日。男性（60分钟/日）与阿根廷参与者的力量训练频率更高，日均时长均为60分钟。女性参与者（420分钟/周）与大一医学生的久坐行为时长更长，分别为420分钟/周与485分钟/周。乌拉圭参与者的久坐行为水平尤为突出，达600分钟/周。相关性分析显示，学年与闲暇时间中等强度身体活动呈显著正中等相关（r=0.128，p=0.007）。综上，本研究中身体活动与久坐行为水平与各项调研变量均存在关联，核心结论为：女性参与者的久坐时长（分钟/周）更长，而力量训练时长更短。此外，医学专业低年级学生的久坐行为水平显著高于高年级学生。