Low Prevalence of Obesity and Pattern of Food Habits among Nepalese Medical Students

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are major risk factors for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, musculoskeletal disorders, including cancer. The risk of NCDs increases, with increases of body mass index (BMI). Food choices and eating habits have been changed according to the pace of development and urbanization. Such a nutritional transition has been claimed for increasing rates of overweight and obesity which are recently observed in our adolescent and youths. Adolescents and youths are vulnerable groups of the development of overweight and obesity. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity and the associated food pattern among Nepalese medical students.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 medical students of Nepal Medical College of 17 to 26 years in December 2018 using a self-administered questionnaire to assess the pattern of eating habit and prevalence of overweight and obesity by using BMI classification. Data were analyzed using SPSS statistical software, and the Chi-square test was used to establish the relationship of variables.

Results: The study showed that 7.1% of the participants were overweight and obese with average BMI of 21.46± 2.74. Three-fourth (72.4%) of the participants reported taking meals regularly. Two third of the participants (65.9%) reported that they consume vegetables and the vast majority (83.5%) had eaten fruits at least a day. Less than half of the students (44.1%) were found to be alcohol users whereas consumption of smoking was not common (1.2%). Demographic variables such as the income of the family and ethnicity were significantly associated with BMI (P<.05).

Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was found to be low in comparison to the national scenario as the healthy food habits were predominant among the medical students.