Research Article
Determinants of Obesity among Medical College Students of Delhi-a Cross Sectional Study
Sulania A*, Setu Y and Goel SK
Department of Community Medicine, India
*Corresponding author: Sulania A, Md Community Medicine (Lhmc), Department Of Community Medicine, Sector-6, Rohini, Delhi, India, Phone number: 9873743493; E-mail- dr.anikabsa2020@gmail.com
Article Information: Submission: 22/12/2020; Accepted: 15/01/2021; Published: 18/01/2021
Copyright: © 2021 Sulania A, et al. This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Abstract
Introduction: Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) or life style diseases, including heart diseases, strokes, cancer and chronic lung disease, are collectively responsible for almost 70% of all deaths worldwide. Four Modifiable behaviour risk factors are responsible for significant proportions of these diseases-Tobacco use, unhealthy diet, physical inactivity and harmful use of alcohol. Prevalence of risk factors for NCDs is found to be high in medical college students. It is necessary that the students have correct knowledge about life style diseases and their prevention which they can translate to their patients also. Keeping this in the mind the study has been designed to assess the factors for obesity and knowledge in preventing those risk factors among medical students.
Methodology: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted amongst MBBS students. Complete enumeration of the student’s population was done for the purpose of study with informed written consent. A pretested questionnaire was used to collect sociodemographic and their life style related information and the standard Definition of WHO was used for anthropometric measurement.
Results: Out of 200 students, 56.5% of the study subjects belonged to 22-25 years of age group. Twenty four percent of the students belonged to Pre-Obese category (BMI=25-29.9) with 70.8% of males and 29.2% of females, 21% of students belonged to Overweight category (BMI=23-24.9) with 64.2% of males and 35.7% of females, 10% of students belongs to underweight category (BMI=< 18.4) with 60% of males and 40% of females. Only 5% of students belonged to Obese category (BMI=≥30) with 80% of males.
Conclusion: Prevalence of overweight and obesity is increasing in Medical college students and in our study, Prevalence of both was found to be 50% combined. The main factors responsible were imbalance diet with lack intake of fruits and vegetables, inadequate sleep and physical activities and excess time spending on gadgets and internet surfing. This highlights the need of healthy lifestyle, Healthy food habits and adequate physical activity as a part of their daily routine.