KNOWLEDGE ABOUT PHYSICAL FITNESS AMONG MEDICAL STUDENTS OF MOHTARMA BENAZIR BHUTTO SHAHEED MEDICAL COLLEGE MIRPUR AJ&K(PAKISTAN)

INTRODUCTION: The world is facing an epidemic of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and lack of exercise is one of the major risk factor for these diseases. At least 60% of the world's population fails to complete the recommended amount of physical activity required to induce health benefits. METHODOLOGY: Study design: Cross sectional study Setting: The study was undertaken amongst all the undergraduate students Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed Medical College of 1st to 4th year who were willing to participate. Duration: Total duration of this study is 6 months (April - September 2015). RESULT: The study subjects 95% consider exercise is important for a medical student. Whoever 59.5% don’t take part in sport activity while 40.5% do take part in sports. Although only 30% know about WHO recommendation regarding physical activity most of them 40% are physical active. 64% of students were active participants of sports in previous institute; however it is pleasant to know that 84.3% feel the need for regular physical activity. CONCLUSION: It is evident from the survey that near half of the students (40.5%) are although inactive but still maximum of them (84.3%) do want to take part in sports activities. Most of the students have normal BMI ( 62 %) . Overall Girls have more BMI than boys. KEY WORDS: BMI, sports activity, balance diet