THE SCALE AND STETHOSCOPE.

Background: Obesity is becoming an alarming problem in contemporary society, affecting both adults and children, with roots deep in an unhealthy lifestyle. Medical students and future medical professionals face a lack of educational resources on healthy lifestyle in a hectic and demanding context. Limited time for exercise and healthy eating leads to fatigue and the adoption of unhealthy habits. Solving this problem requires an educational approach and finding a balance.This research investigates the relationship between student life, eating habits and sedentary lifestyle among medical students. Focusing on understanding the reasons behind obesity trends and identifying strategies to motivate students towards a balanced lifestyle, the paper also explores psychosocial issues related to nutrition and physical activity, tailored to the pressures specific to the medical field. This research has wide-ranging implications, highlighting the need for effective strategies to promote health among medical students and prevent long-term health problems. Material and methods: We conducted a study of 100 medical students, aged 19-24+ years, from diverse backgrounds. The extensive questionnaire, completed by participants from general medicine, military medicine, dental medicine, and pharmacy programs, addressed issues such as demographics, weight trends, eating habits, exercise, and access to obesity information. These findings represent a valuable resource for the development of future health education interventions and programs, providing an in- depth understanding of the implications of obesity in this population. Results: In the study, 100 medical students, evenly distributed between men (42%) and women (58%), revealed significant obesity and healthy lifestyle concerns. An impressive 86.5% perceive obesity as a serious problem, and 33.3% have had obesity-related problems before college. Looking at eating habits, 67.4% adopt a moderately healthy diet, while 10.1% have unhealthy eating habits. Regarding physical activity, 34.8% exercise occasionally, 21.3% rarely, and 5.6% not at all. Interestingly, 33.3% adopted unhealthy eating habits after starting college. Perceptions related to obesity and academic performance indicate that 48.3% believe that obesity negatively affects academic performance, 31.5% see the problem as complex and influenced by individual factors, and 46.7% believe that academic stress contributes to the development of obesity. In conclusion, 48.9% support the need for an education programme to promote a balanced lifestyle in the academic environment. These results highlight the importance of a comprehensive approach to health promotion and awareness among medical students. Conclusions: The results of this research reveal a significant concern among medical students regarding obesity and healthy lifestyle. The high percentage of those who perceive obesity as a serious problem, as well as the frequency of obesity-related problems among this group, highlights the need for educational and preventive interventions. In light of these findings, the implementation of education and financial support programmes, together with the promotion of healthy eating habits and physical activity, could significantly contribute to improving the health and well-being of future health professionals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]