ABSTRACT
Objectives: This research was conducted to determine the proportion of obesity among university students and the factors associated with it
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among students enrolled in the preclinical years, in the six academic programs. A validated, self-administered questionnaire with domains such as socio-demographic characteristics, self-reported physical activity, dietary habits, and anthropometric measurements was used. Height and weight were measured and Body Mass Index was calculated and categorized according to WHO criteria. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21, Descriptive analysis and Chi square test were performed
Results: Out of 233 participants, 181 [78.4%] were <20 years and majority of them were females [172, 76.8%]. 142 [60.9%] were 1[st] year students and 111 [46.7%] were from Eastern Mediterranean region. Among the total, 41 [17.6%] were having overweight and 16 [6.9%] with obesity. 65% performed physical activity in the last month, of which 100 [66%] performed vigorous physical activity. 212 [95.5%] reported a diet history of mixed Diet. No significant association was noted except for gender and year of study with BMI where 34.6% of males were overweight and obese compared to females [21.5%] and 29.6% of them were 1[st] year students as compared to the 2[nd] year students [16.5%]. Overweight and obesity were found more among participants who were not doing physical activity [32.1%] as compared to those doing physical activity [20.4%], of which obesity was less among those who performed vigorous activity [19%]. Participants who follow vegetarian diet [80%] had normal BMI as compared to the mixed diet followers of 59%
Conclusion: Almost a one fourth was found to be overweight and obese. A statistically significant association between obesity and year of study was observed. Participants who follow a mixed diet had noticed with higher percentage of overweight and obesity as compared to those students on a vegetarian diet. There is a need to address the obesogenic environment to the university students and the students need to be involved in promoting healthy lifestyles