Prevalence of overweight and obesity-associated risk factors amongst medical students in South India

Abstract

Obesity is defined as an excessive accumulation of body fat to an extent where health is impaired. Obesity among students is progressing towards an epidemic level. The change in lifestyle, lack of physical activity and exercise, improper eating habits and lack of awareness about obesity has become a major problem of college students, especially among medical students. This study was conducted with the objective to estimate the prevalence of overweight & obesity and associated factors. A cross-sectional study was conducted among medical students of Saveetha Medical College and Hospital (SMCH) with a sample size of 230 and a purposive sampling technique was used. Data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. Data were entered in Microsoft Excel and analyzed using relevant statistical tests.  Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20.4% and 2.1%, respectively and factors such as diet pattern and sleep duration are significantly associated with overweight and obesity. Measures such as motivating the students, organizing group exercise activities and making physical activity as part of the curriculum and importance of adequate sleep should be emphasized.