Physical activity and supplement use among medical students

Abstract

Background: Continuous physical activity among students boosts the immune system, which keeps them healthy, reduces students' stress and improves their concentration and academic success. Food supplements help maintain students` health and boosts academic performance by filling nutritional gaps, particularly when eating habits are poor.
Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate physical activity levels, the prevalence of food supplement use among medical students, in order to further analyze the impact on their academic performance.
Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out between October to November 2024 with a random sample of 215 undergraduate medical students at the University of Prishtina. A self-administered questionnaire was completed with the sociodemographic and anthropometric data, items regarding their physical activity, food supplement use and the average grade achieved so far.
Results: Two hundred and fifteen medical students participated in this study. Mean age was 21 years old, 69% were female and 31% male. The average grade of students was 8.31. Most of them were non-smokers (86%), with an average BMI of 22.80. One hundred and sixteen participants reported using food supplements and 99 did not use. One hundred and seventy-two participants reported that they practice physical activity and 43 did not practice.
Conclusion: Physical activity was positively associated with food supplements and student grades. This indicates that students who practice physical activity are more likely to use food supplements and have better grades. There is a relationship between physical activity and students` grades, but not between food supplements and students` grades.