Frequency and Determinants of Obesity/Overweight among Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of overweight or obese among undergraduates and enlist the determinants of overweight or obese among undergraduates. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore from 1st February 2021 to 31st July 2021. Methodology: Two hundred undergraduates aged 15-25 years were included who anonymously provide the information related to BMI and information on their life style and dietary and physical habits. Results: Seventy eight (39%) undergraduates students were found as overweight or obese and 122 (61%) were as normal weight. There was a significant association between gender and overweight or obese being higher among females (p=0.04) and a highly significant association was found between residence in hostel and overweight or obesity (p=0.000). Significant association of physical activity (p=0.000), place of breakfast (p=0.000), soft drink usage (p=0.004), snack taking between breakfast and lunch (p=0.000), tea habit >2 times/day (p=0.001) and sleep duration (p=0.000) were observed among study participants. Conclusion: High frequency of overweight or obesity was found among undergraduates. Poor dietary habits and inactive physical life were main factors those were associated with overweight or obesity. Counselling can be done for these students for adopting preventive lifestyle in order to prevent overweight or obesity and its consequences. Key words:Frequency, Determinants, Obesity, Undergraduate students