Dimensions of physical wellness among medical students of public and private medical colleges in Pakistan

OBJECTIVES To determine adherence to dimensions of physical wellness among medical students of public and private medical colleges in Pakistan.   METHODS This cross-sectional study was carried out from January to July 2011 among 820 students of private and public medical colleges in Karachi, Pakistan.   RESULTS Overall, medical students scored low in dimensions of physical wellness. Private medical colleges students were fond of vigorous activities such as aerobics and swimming, whereas public medical colleges students were involved in moderate intensity activities such as walking and use of stairs (p less than 0.0001). Private students reported to consume more fast food (p=0.0001), had less sleep (p=0.0001), but attended regular annual medical checkups (p=0.009) as compared with their public institute counterparts. Safe practices such as avoidance of tobacco were almost the same.   CONCLUSION Comprehensive adherence to all dimensions of physical wellness was lacking among medical students.