Geospatial mapping of food outlets and assessment of students' dietary behaviours around a medical college in Hyderabad: a cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background: Food options in the vicinity of college can affect students’ eating behaviours and nutritional status. However, there is a dearth of data on campus food environments in India. This study assessed the food environment surrounding a medical college using geospatial methods and examined its association with students' dietary behaviours and body mass index (BMI).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 400 undergraduate medical students of Osmania Medical College, Hyderabad, India. The participants were selected using simple random sampling. Data on sociodemographic characteristics, food-purchasing patterns, dietary behaviours and perceptions of the food environment were collected. The geographic coordinates of the food outlets within a 500-meter radius of the college were mapped and analysed using QGIS software. Data was analysed using SPSS version 25.

Results: The mean BMI was 23.2±3.4 kg/m²; 43% overweight and 4% obese. Geospatial mapping identified the most common stalls as fast-food (32%), juice/tea (24%), restaurants/tiffin centres (21%) and fruit and vegetable vendors (20%). Packaged snacks (57%) and fried foods (48%) were the most frequently bought items. Almost 44% bought food from local outlets 2 -3 times a week. Most students perceived unhealthy foods to be widely available (71%). No significant association was observed between the frequency of food consumption from outside and BMI category (p=0.744).

Conclusions: The food environment on campus was characterised by a high density of unhealthy food outlets, with students frequently purchasing energy-dense foods. Improving campus nutrition policies and environmental interventions may help promote healthy food choices among students.