Prevalence of abnormal body mass index among students of a private sector medical college in -Pakistan

To determine the status of BMI among the students of Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad and to find out the frequency of different BMI groups. Cross-sectional questionnaire based study. This study was conducted from 01.11.2010 till 10.03.2011 in Frontier Medical College, Abbottabad. A cross- sectional questionnaire based study was conducted in Frontier Medical College Abbottabad. Body weight and height of 400 students were measured and then their body mass index [BMI] was calculated. Keeping in view the WHO cut-offs, Under weight, overweight and Obesity were defined. 9.75% of students fell in the underweight category. About 63.25% were in normal range. 21% were Overweight while no less than 6% formed the various categories of obesity. A significantly high proportion of students [36.75%] were either over weight, obese or underweight. This is an alarmingly high percentage keeping in view the fact that all of them were 18-22 years of age. The students must be advised to take more care of their health status