Factors associated with body mass index among university students in Bangladesh

Abstract

We aimed to assess the body mass index (BMI) of university students and evaluate its associated factors. We conducted a study in Sylhet City, Bangladesh using stratified random sampling (n = 1,143) and collected students’ socio-demographic data and about their eating habits. We used analysis of variance (ANOVA) models to analyze the data. We found that the majority (67.2%) of the students had a normal BMI. Among the students, 35% were female and 25% had their own income. Moreover, 55% reported skipping breakfast and among all the students, 50% skipped meals due to class pressure. The female students had a lower BMI (estimate: –0.70, 95% CI: −1.13, −0.28) than the male students. We also found that students from higher age groups and the students who had their own income also had a higher BMI. Furthermore, students with irregular meal intake had a lower BMI (estimate: –0.85; 95% CI: −1.3, −0.40) than those who took their meals regularly. The majority of the students belonged to the normal BMI group and were in the habit of regular meals. Slightly more than 50% of the students skipped their breakfast and about half of the students reported that class pressure caused them to skip meals. To promote healthy eating habits among university students, effective programs should be initiated which could include introducing dietary guidelines and enhancing self-discipline.