| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2016 | Volume
: 20
| Issue : 2 | Page : 206-210 |
|
|
High prevalence of preobesity and obesity among medical students of Lahore and its relation with dietary habits and physical activity
Zeeshan Nasir Khan, Muhammad Zaman Khan Assir, Mudassar Shafiq, Aghosh-e-Gul Chaudhary, Atika Jabeen
Department of Medicine, Medical Unit III, Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan
Correspondence Address:
Muhammad Zaman Khan Assir
Department of Medicine, Medical Unit III, Allama Iqbal Medical College/Jinnah Hospital, Allama Shabbir Ahmed Usmani Road, Lahore
Pakistan
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
DOI: 10.4103/2230-8210.176357
|
|
|
Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of obesity among students of medical colleges of Lahore and to study its correlation with high-caloric diet intake and physical inactivity. Study Design: A cross-sectional survey was conducted at four medical colleges of Lahore, Pakistan between March and June 2012. Methods: A total of 244 medical students (85 males, 159 females) of the median age of 20 years (range: 18–25) were randomly included in the study. Anthropometric measures were obtained. High-caloric diet intake and physical profile were assessed through a self-reported questionnaire. The relationships between obesity indices (body mass index [BMI], waist-to-hip ratio) were investigated and correlated with the studied dietary and physical activity factors. Results: Approximately, 30.5% males and 16% females had BMI ≥25.0 kg/m2 overall affecting 21% of total medical students. Central obesity was found in 46% of male and 31.4% of female students. Central obesity was associated with a higher total daily caloric intake, studying at private medical college and male gender. Overall, 197 of 244 (80.7%) students played no sports in college. Median time to watch television or work on the computer was 120 min a day (range: 30–420). Only 70 (28.7%) students had regular walk or jogging. Conclusion: A substantial proportion of Pakistani medical students were overweight or obese. Higher total daily caloric intake was associated with central obesity but not a BMI >25. Physical activity parameters favored an overall sedentary aptitude for medical students. |
|
|
|
| [FULL TEXT] [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
