A Cross-sectional Study on Determinants of Overweight and Obesity among College Students Perusing Selected Allied Health Courses at Jamnagar City, Gujarat.

Abstract

Introduction: College students perusing health allied courses like Medical, Dental, Ayurveda and Physiotherapy are at a greater risk for overweight/obesity compared to their counterparts studying in other streams due to speci ic risk factors. Objectives: 1) The present study was conducted to ind prevalence of obesity and overweight and their determinants in college-going students. 2) Internal comparison of obesity and overweight between students perusing selected health allied courses at Jamnagar City, Gujarat. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted in 985 Medical, Dental, Ayurvedic and Physiotherapy college students using proportion of annual intake in each college. Data was collected using a pre-tested, structured questionnaire. Students were classi ied using Asian BMI cut-off. Chi-square test, ANOVA and Univariate logistic analysis were used as statistical tools. Results: Out of the total sample size of 985, 18.37% students were obese and 13.80% students were overweight. Higher mean BMI was seen in medical college students as compared to students of other colleges (F ratio = 3.58, p-value <0.01). Highest proportion of obesity was present in medical students (22.92%) and highest proportion of overweight was present in Dental students (19.02%). Increasing age is associated with higher prevalence of overweight/obesity (r = 0.70, p < 0.001, t = 30.29) Conclusion: Students who are older, male, have a positive family history of obesity or overweight, eat a mixed diet, consume more junk food, and spend more time sitting down than moving around are more likely to be overweight or obese.