Alarming signals: Worsening obesity, physical inactivity and high perception of stress in first-year medical and dental students in Chile

Abstract

The high prevalence of obesity, smoking, and physical inactivity in Chile despite government-sponsored measures and campaigns, along with others in the last 30 years, suggests additional reinforcement of these efforts at the primary care level. To determine if lifestyles and modifiable health risk factors in first-year students from the University of Chile Faculties of Medicine and Dentistry, potential future promoters of healthy lifestyles, show changes throughout their first academic year. In a randomized stratified sample of 388 students according to sex and chosen career weight, height, waist circumference, waist circumference-weight ratio, food consumption, smoking prevalence and dependence, alcohol use, perceived stress level, and physical activity were measured at the first week, 3 and 6 months after their admission. The Cochrane test assessed dichotomic variables, and the Friedman test was used for nonparametric values. 253 students (186 women) completed the follow-up. A significant worsening of obesity (general and abdominal) and physical inactivity, persistent moderate and high-stress perception, and smoking prevalence were documented throughout the study period. The progressive obesity and physical inactivity, high-stress perception, and persistent smoking prevalence in the first year of academic life suggest considering measures in the curricular academic structure that facilitate adjustments in the student's lifestyles. Future follow-up of this cohort, increasing participants, and assessing students' mental health are planned.