Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Dietary habits and Physical activity in Undergraduate medical students of district Etawah, Uttar Pradesh

Abstract

Background: The resurgence of interest in the intricate relationship between nutrition and health reflects the escalating burden of lifestyle diseases on the healthcare system. The imperative for medical students to embody a healthy lifestyle is underscored by their pivotal role as future advocates of health promotion. Aims & Objectives: This study aims to assess the knowledge, attitude, and practices regarding dietary habits and physical activity among undergraduate medical students of district Etawah of Uttar Pradesh. Material and Method: A cross-sectional survey was carried out in UPUMS, Saifai, Etawah and 153 study subjects were recruited using the purposive sampling method. All the first-year undergraduate medical students who had given consent to participate were included in the study. Results: Approximately half of the participants were able to identify healthy foods, with 84.4 percent recognizing the hypertensive risks associated with excessive salt intake. The majority exhibited positive attitudes, such as the importance of daily water consumption (85.7%), awareness that sweet foods/drinks could be detrimental to health (79.8%), and the acknowledgment that fast foods have adverse health effects (70.1%). Conclusion: While a substantial majority of medical students showcased awareness regarding the significance of a healthful diet and regular exercise, the translation of this knowledge into consistent practices warrants attention.