The objective was mainly to evaluate the Physical Activity Level in medical students. A cross-sectional, descriptive and analytical questionnaire was held in public and private medical schools and teaching hospitals of Fortaleza. A sample of 840 students, 409 males and 431 females, aged 17-33 years, was selected randomly. We used the International Physical Activity Questionnaire in short version. Most students (72.6%) were classified as sedentary or insufficiently active. Lack of time and body aesthetic, respectively, are the main demotivation and motivation for physical activity. It is suggested additional studies addressed to this population, to establish a more accurate delineation of the factors that lead to physical inactivity.
Physical activity; medical students; IPAQ; body mass index
