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Oct 13, 2025 by recoveryshake.com 48 views

The Relationship between Energy Intake, Physical Activity, and Sleep Duration with Body Mass Index in Students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, Medan

Body mass index (BMI) is a crucial indicator used to assess the level of obesity in individuals, which can trigger various non-communicable diseases. The factors that affect BMI are numerous and complex, including inadequate sleep duration, which has the potential to increase energy intake and reduce physical activity. In addition to these factors, other variables such as gender, income, pregnancy, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, health conditions, genetic factors, and psychological conditions also have a significant influence on BMI. Therefore, it is essential to identify the relationship between energy intake, physical activity, and sleep duration with BMI in students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, Medan.

BMI is a widely used measurement to assess the level of obesity in individuals. It is calculated by dividing the body weight (in kg) by the height (in m²). A BMI of 18.5-24.9 is considered normal, while a BMI of 25-29.9 is classified as overweight, and a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese. Obesity is a significant risk factor for various non-communicable diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Therefore, it is essential to identify the factors that contribute to obesity and develop effective interventions to prevent and manage obesity.

The primary objective of this study is to investigate the relationship between energy intake, physical activity, and sleep duration with BMI in students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, Medan. This study aims to provide valuable insights into the factors that influence BMI among medical students, which can inform the development of effective health interventions.

This study employed an observational design with a cross-sectional approach. The research subjects consisted of 100 students of the Faculty of Medicine, University of North Sumatra, class of 2017 and 2018 who met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The sampling method used was simple random sampling. BMI was calculated by comparing body weight (in kg) with height (in m²). The level of energy intake was measured using the Food Recall method for 3x24 hours, physical activity was considered using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form (IPAQ-SF), and sleep duration was measured by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The data obtained was then analyzed using the Spearman test.

The results of the analysis with the Spearman test showed some interesting findings. First, there was a significant correlation between the level of energy intake and BMI (p-value = 0.001; r = 0.330). The positive R value indicates that an increase in energy intake is directly related to an increase in BMI. Second, there was a negative relationship between physical activity and BMI (p-value <0.037; r = -0.178), indicating that the higher the level of physical activity, the lower the BMI. However, the results showed that there was no significant relationship between the duration of sleep and BMI (p-value <0.317; r = -0.086), although there was a positive R value.

The findings of this study provide valuable insights into the factors that influence BMI among medical students. The significant correlation between energy intake and BMI suggests that an increase in energy intake is directly related to an increase in BMI. This finding is consistent with previous studies that have shown that excessive energy intake is a significant risk factor for obesity. The negative relationship between physical activity and BMI indicates that the higher the level of physical activity, the lower the BMI. This finding is also consistent with previous studies that have shown that regular physical activity is an effective way to prevent and manage obesity.

This study found a significant relationship between the level of energy intake and BMI, as well as between physical activity and BMI. However, no significant relationship was found between the duration of sleep and BMI. This finding provides important insights on the factors that influence BMI among medical students, which can be the basis for better health interventions. Therefore, it is essential for students to pay attention to eating patterns, maintain adequate physical activity, and create good sleep routines to support the health of the body and prevent the risk of obesity and related diseases.

Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Health Education: Health education programs should be implemented to raise awareness among medical students about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Physical Activity: Regular physical activity should be encouraged among medical students, and opportunities should be provided for them to engage in physical activity, such as sports and fitness programs.
Sleep Hygiene: Good sleep hygiene practices should be promoted among medical students, and they should be encouraged to create a sleep-conducive environment, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime.
Monitoring BMI: BMI should be regularly monitored among medical students, and interventions should be implemented to prevent and manage obesity.

This study had some limitations, including:

Sample Size: The sample size was relatively small, which may have limited the generalizability of the findings.
Measurement Tools: The measurement tools used in this study may have had limitations, such as the Food Recall method for measuring energy intake, which may have been subject to recall bias.
Confounding Variables: Confounding variables, such as gender, income, and health conditions, may have influenced the findings of this study.

Future research should aim to:

Investigate the Relationship between Energy Intake, Physical Activity, and Sleep Duration with BMI in a Larger Sample Size: A larger sample size should be used to investigate the relationship between energy intake, physical activity, and sleep duration with BMI.
Use More Accurate Measurement Tools: More accurate measurement tools should be used to measure energy intake, physical activity, and sleep duration.
Control for Confounding Variables: Confounding variables, such as gender, income, and health conditions, should be controlled for in future studies.

In conclusion, this study found a significant relationship between the level of energy intake and BMI, as well as between physical activity and BMI. However, no significant relationship was found between the duration of sleep and BMI. This finding provides important insights on the factors that influence BMI among medical students, which can be the basis for better health interventions. Therefore, it is essential for students to pay attention to eating patterns, maintain adequate physical activity, and create good sleep routines to support the health of the body and prevent the risk of obesity and related diseases.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Relationship between Energy Intake, Physical Activity, and Sleep Duration with Body Mass Index (BMI)

A: The results of this study showed a significant correlation between energy intake and BMI. This means that an increase in energy intake is directly related to an increase in BMI. This finding is consistent with previous studies that have shown that excessive energy intake is a significant risk factor for obesity.

A: The results of this study showed a negative relationship between physical activity and BMI. This means that the higher the level of physical activity, the lower the BMI. This finding is also consistent with previous studies that have shown that regular physical activity is an effective way to prevent and manage obesity.

A: The results of this study showed no significant relationship between sleep duration and BMI. However, there was a positive R value, which suggests that there may be a relationship between sleep duration and BMI, but it was not statistically significant.

A: The findings of this study provide important insights into the factors that influence BMI among medical students. The significant correlation between energy intake and BMI, as well as the negative relationship between physical activity and BMI, suggest that health interventions should focus on promoting healthy eating habits and regular physical activity. Additionally, the lack of a significant relationship between sleep duration and BMI suggests that sleep hygiene practices may not be as important as previously thought.

A: This study had some limitations, including a relatively small sample size, the use of measurement tools that may have had limitations, and the potential for confounding variables to influence the findings.

A: Future research should aim to investigate the relationship between energy intake, physical activity, and sleep duration with BMI in a larger sample size, use more accurate measurement tools, and control for confounding variables.

A: Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Health Education: Health education programs should be implemented to raise awareness among medical students about the importance of maintaining a healthy weight, eating a balanced diet, and engaging in regular physical activity.
Physical Activity: Regular physical activity should be encouraged among medical students, and opportunities should be provided for them to engage in physical activity, such as sports and fitness programs.
Sleep Hygiene: Good sleep hygiene practices should be promoted among medical students, and they should be encouraged to create a sleep-conducive environment, such as maintaining a consistent sleep schedule and avoiding stimulating activities before bedtime.
Monitoring BMI: BMI should be regularly monitored among medical students, and interventions should be implemented to prevent and manage obesity.

A: The findings of this study suggest that medical students should pay attention to their eating patterns, maintain adequate physical activity, and create good sleep routines to support the health of their body and prevent the risk of obesity and related diseases.

A: The findings of this study suggest that healthcare professionals should focus on promoting healthy eating habits and regular physical activity among their patients, and should also provide education and support to help them establish good sleep hygiene practices.

A: The findings of this study suggest that public health policy should focus on promoting healthy eating habits and regular physical activity among the general population, and should also provide education and support to help individuals establish good sleep hygiene practices.