Background: Globally, there is a rapid change in disease profiles drawing the consideration of both medical professionals and policymakers similarly, in particular, very factual in low- and middle-income countries. The emerging epidemic of obesity has become serious public health concern, particularly in adolescents. Therefore, the knowledge regarding obesity and its consequences is necessary among adolescents.
Objective: To assess the prevalence of obesity and the effect of various risk factors on obesity among first-year medical students of Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, Gujarat, India.
Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 130 first-year medical students of Government Medical College, Bhavnagar, during November 1 to 30, 2013. Data were collected by face-to-face interview by using a predesigned prestructured questionnaire. Anthropometric measurement such as height and weight were measured, and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. Data were tabulated, and appropriate statistical test was applied.
Result: The prevalence of obesity was 11.53% in study population. It was higher among boys compared with girls and higher among socioeconomical class II (73.33%). There were 7.70% person among study population with sedentary lifestyle, and 34.60% study population did not have any knowledge about BMI and obesity.
Conclusion: The increasing trend of the modern day epidemic of obesity in adolescent age calls for immediate action to reduce the incidence of noncommunicable disease in future.
Key words: Body mass index, height, medical students, obesity, weight
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