Abstract

Sai Sreeya Gude*, Dr. Radha Kumari and Sai Sravya Gude

ABSTRACT

Background: Obesity is leading health problem across the world. Medical students were the target group for this study as they are the future physicians and if they are overweight or obese they would carry a wrong impression on the general population. Hence the present study was undertaken to know the prevalence of obesity among medical students and to assess the knowledge, attitude, practices towards risk factors of obesity in 279 under graduate medical students. Results: It was found that 64.87% (n=181) of the participants had normal BMI, 25.44% (n=71) are above normal BMI and 9.67% (n=27) were underweight. The prevalence of overweight was 20% & obesity was 6% in the present study. In the present study, knowledge is found to be more in people living in urban areas than in rural areas. A positive attitude towards the risk factors of obesity is found to be more in the urban than in rural study population. Practices to overcome obesity are not satisfactory in both rural & urban areas. The overall prevalence of central obesity was found to be 51% in urban study population and 44% in rural study population. Conclusions: Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 20% and 6%. It can be concluded that obesity and overweight are quite prevalent in the medical students. BMI is a simple and effective way to screen them so that timely measures could be taken to prevent their progression and complications. Persons with BMI >24.99 kg/m2 should be motivated for regular physical activity. The study reinforces the need to encourage healthy lifestyle, healthy food habits and a physically active daily routine among medical students.