Abstract

BACKGROUND: This research provides different point of views regarding the Association between PA and QoL among undergraduate students in NWIHS. Undergraduate students schedule is too much busy that’s why they are physically inactive. The more sedentary lifestyle will lead to worse QoL.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study was to determine the association between physical activity (PA) and quality of life (QoL) among undergraduate students in NWIHS. In KPK, this type of study has not been done before.

METHODS: This study is a descriptive and cross sectional survey in which convenience sampling technique was used. A sample size of 227 subjects was achieved. Study setting was northwest institute of health sciences, ring road, Peshawar. Data was collected through a standard questionnaire (GPAQ and SF-36). Study duration was 6 months.

RESULTS: Total 227 students participated in this research out of which 137 (60.4%) were male while 90 (39.6%) were female. Two hundred and twenty one (97.4%) had age from 18 to 24 years, six (2.6%) had age from 25 to 30 years. Data was collected from different departments & 35 (15.4%) were underweight <18.5, 130 (57.3%) were normal weight 18.5 – 24.9, 49 (21.6%) were overweight 25 – 29.9, 13 (5.7%) were Obese 30 or greater. Sixty five (28.6%) participated from DPT department, 41 (18.1%) participated from pathology department, 40 (17.6%) participated from BSN department, 41 (18.1%) participated from Anaesthesia department, and 40 (17.6%) participated from Radiology department. Total metabolic equivalent tasks (MET) were 33 (14.3%) had low MET min/week 55 (23.4%) had moderate MET min/week, 139 (62.3%) had high MET min/week.

CONCLUSION: The conclusion of this study is the association between PA and QoL in the students is mainly composed of cross-sectional studies. The male students were more physically active than females. These issues when properly assessed can greatly affect the prognosis of a students in positive manner. This study revealed that these issues are not given as much importance as they deserve. Majority of the students believed that someone must need to speak on these issues and suggest those effective ways to improve them.

KEYWORDS: Physical activity, Quality of life, Undergraduate students, MET