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，亦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——而医学生本就是大众行为模仿的重要榜样。本研究聚焦2023年拉丁美洲医学生的身体活动与久坐行为患病率情况。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名参与者开展了调查。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存在显著差异。值得注意的是，哥斯达黎加的闲暇时间中等强度身体活动水平最高，日均达90分钟。男性参与者以及阿根廷的参与者更常进行力量训练，日均训练时长均为60分钟。女性参与者与大一医学生的久坐行为时长更高，分别为每周420分钟与每周485分钟。乌拉圭的久坐行为水平尤为突出，每周达600分钟。相关性分析显示，学年与闲暇时间中等强度身体活动之间存在显著的正中度关联（r=0.128，p=0.007）。综上，本研究中身体活动与久坐行为水平与所纳入的研究变量均存在关联，核心研究结果显示：女性每周久坐时长更长，而力量训练时长更短。此外，医学学习初期的学生相较高年级学生，久坐行为水平更高。