A study on prevalence of obesity and life-style behaviour among medical students

Authors

  • Anupama M. Department of Community Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India
  • Krishna Iyengar Department of Community Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India
  • Rajesh S. S. Department of Community Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India
  • Rajanna M. S. Department of Community Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India
  • Venkatesh P. Department of Community Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India
  • Ganesh Pillai Department of Community Medicine, Sri Siddhartha Medical College, Tumkur, Karnataka, India

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173836

Keywords:

Prevalence, Medical students, Obesity, Life-Style, Body Mass Index, Waist-hip ratio.

Abstract

Background: The incidence of obesity is increasing dramatically worldwide. Overweight/obesity is the fifth leading risk factor for global death. At least 2-8 million adults die each year as a result of being overweight or obese. Studies on medical students and health personnel in many countries suggested that obesity is a problem among these population groups.

Methods: A cross- sectional study was conducted at a medical college in Tumkur district of Karnataka. A pre-tested questionnaire was used to collect data from 200 medical students after taking their written consent.

Results: Prevalence of overweight/obesity among the students was found to be 16% as per BMI cut-off. 39% of the female and 80%of the male students had normal waist-hip ratio while 61% of the female students and 20% of the male students had a higher waist-hip ratio where the risk of developing the metabolic complications was substantially increased. However, apart from breakfast skipping, no other Life-style behaviour was found to have any significant effect on obesity in the study.

Conclusions: Prevalence of overweight and obesity according to WHO classification was 14.5% and 1.5%. The study reinforces the need to encourage healthy lifestyle, healthy food habits and a physically active daily routine among medical students. 

References

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Published

2017-08-23

How to Cite

M., A., Iyengar, K., S. S., R., M. S., R., P., V., & Pillai, G. (2017). A study on prevalence of obesity and life-style behaviour among medical students. International Journal Of Community Medicine And Public Health, 4(9), 3314–3318. https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20173836

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Section

Original Research Articles