Abstract
Background Obesity is one of the most important public health problems for university students. The objective of the study was to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (%BF) with waist circumference (WC) as a cardiometabolic risk factor (CMR) among university students. Methods A cross-sectional study was carried out in 2,048 students from a private university located in Lima, Peru. Anthropometric data (weight, height, %BF, and WC) were collected. Chi-square test was used. Association analysis was performed using multiple logistic regression. Results The findings indicated that 36.9% and 61.1% of men were overweight and had higher %BF, respectively, compared to women. Women (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.17, 0.29), Peruvian students (OR, 0.59; 95% CI, 0.39, 0.90), and students enrolled in the faculty of health sciences (OR = 0.76; 95% CI, 0.62, 0.94) are less likely to manifest CMR. Also, excess body weight (OR, 17.28; 95% CI, 13.21, 22.59) and a high %BF (OR, 4.55; 95% CI, 3.55, 5.84) were strongly associated with CMR. Conclusion CMRs are a public health problem among university students. Therefore, it is important to carry out healthy lifestyle programs to promote better control and prevention, particularly among male students and those who have excess weight and body fat.
Highlights
Obesity constitutes one of the most important public health problems in the general population, among university students [1]
Cardiometabolic diseases, excess body weight, and elevated %BF in college students are the result of inadequate nutrition characterized by excessive consumption of foods of high caloric density, deficient in micronutrients and essential bioactive elements, and lack of regular physical activity [6, 7]. e World Health Organization (WHO) emphasizes that the risk of morbidity and mortality is the result of a series of risky eating behaviors including unhealthy eating practices that begin during the teenage and college stages [8]
In this study that analyzed excess body weight, %BF, and waist circumference (WC) as a factor associated with cardiometabolic risk factor (CMR) among Peruvian university students, several notable findings were evidenced
Summary
Obesity constitutes one of the most important public health problems in the general population, among university students [1]. Apart from the dire consequences on the economy of the countries [2], excess body weight represents a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases [3]. Obesity is one of the most important public health problems for university students. E objective of the study was to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and body fat percentage (%BF) with waist circumference (WC) as a cardiometabolic risk factor (CMR) among university students. CMRs are a public health problem among university students
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