Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity among Health Sciences Students in the Amazonia Region of Peru.

Joseba Rabanales-Sotos,Ángel López-González,Jesús Jacinto-Magallanes-Castilla,Zoila Esperanza Leitón-Espinoza,Maritza Evangelina Villanueva-Benites,Jesús López-Torres-Hidalgo

doi:10.3390/healthcare8040538

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to evaluate 199 health sciences students in the city of Iquitos. Their socio-demographic characteristics, lifestyle, level of physical activity, type of food, substance abuse, and prevalence of overweight and obesity were ascertained using purpose-validated questionnaires, i.e., the Systematic Alcohol Consumption Interview (Interrogatorio Sistematizado de Consumos Alcohólicos/ISCA), a questionnaire on the frequency of dietary intake (CFCA), the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ), and anthropometric measurements. The prevalence of overweight (body mass index (BMI) of 25.0–29.9 kg/m2) was 26.5% (95% CI = 19.9–33.0%) and that of obesity (BMI ≥ 30.0 kg/m2) was 7.9% (95% CI = 3.8–12.1%). A total of 34.4% of students (95% CI = 27.4–41.4%) presented with a BMI > 25 kg/m2. The frequency of overweight was significantly higher in persons aged over 20 years (OR = 2.5) and smokers (OR = 3.2), and the frequency of obesity was significantly higher in older students (OR = 4.1) and males (OR = 5.5). In conclusion, a considerable proportion of health sciences students in the Amazonia region presented with a high BMI. The proportion of students with overweight was higher among students aged over 20 years and smokers, while that of obesity was also higher among males. In the university setting, the development of more overweight- and obesity-preventive activities and educational interventions would therefore be desirable.

Highlights

In the 21st century, the prevention of chronic non-transmissible diseases is one of the most important public health challenges
This study evaluated the body mass mass index index (BMI) of health sciences students in Peru’s Amazonia region, with the aim of describing the proportion of obesity and/or overweight, and the relationship that these may display with other variables, such as the level of physical activity, type of diet, and presence of unhealthy habits
The results show that a high proportion of university students presented with a high BMI

Summary

Introduction

In the 21st century, the prevention of chronic non-transmissible diseases is one of the most important public health challenges. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), chronic non-transmissible diseases cause 71% of deaths worldwide, especially in adults aged 30 to 69 years. Over 85% of these deaths occur in low- to middle-income countries, with cardiovascular diseases being the cause of the majority of chronic diseases. It is envisaged that in the coming years, cardiovascular diseases will cause three times more deaths and disabilities than infectious diseases [1]. The adolescent and young adult population, such as university students, is exposed. This age sees the emergence of population risk factors, such as overweight, obesity, smoking, excessive alcohol consumption, and sedentariness [3]

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