Lifestyle And Obesity Among College Students in Ujjain, India
Keywords:
Body Mass Index (BMI), Waist circumference (WC), college students, overweight, obesity, lifestyleAbstract
Introduction: Obesity being a preventable risk factor for Non Communicable Diseases (NCD) needs to be measured in college students, as they undergo transition from adolescence to adulthood and are more likely to adopt lifestyles promoting weight gain.
Objective: The present study was carried out to find out the burden of overweight/ obesity and associated lifestyle factors among medical undergraduate of Ujjain.
Methods: Data was collected by self administered questionnaire enquiring family history of NCD, food habits and physical activity. Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist circumference (WC) was measured to estimate burden of overweight /obesity.
Results: Nearly half (44.9%) of the students were either overweight or obese. As per recommended WC cut off points (≥78cm –men, ≥72cm-women) and action level one for Indians, 68% students had central obesity. All most all (>90%) were frequent fast food eaters, eat between meals and not interested in regular physical activity.
Conclusion: Higher prevalence of obesity especially central obesity among college students is alarming. If they continue their unhealthy food habits and physical inactivity they are likely to develop lifestyle diseases at an early age. Timely identification and correction of lifestyle is recommended to prevent obesity among students.
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