The Magnitude and Related Risk Factors of Obesity and Overweight among Medical Students at Shendi University, Sudan

Abstract

Background: Today, obesity is a serious health issue that is growing around the world. Almost 500 million adults worldwide were obese, and 1.5 billion were overweight, according to a World Health Organization (WHO) report. This number is estimated to increase in the years to come. Objective: To evaluate the prevalence of obesity and overweight among medical students at the Shendi University College of Medicine and its relationship to demographic parameters. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive-analytic study was conducted on medical students of the faculty of medicine at Shendi University, and a sample of students was systematically randomly collected. Data was collected by using an open and closed questionnaire. Direct measurement of weight and height, then the calculation of BMI. Also, direct measurement of waist and hip, then the calculation of WHR. Results: 43% of the students were classified as average. 26% of people were overweight, and 21% were obese. In other words, the study discovered that women are more likely than men to be overweight or obese. According to the findings, those who live in urban areas gain weight noticeably more than people who live in rural areas. Regarding the behavioral aspect, there was a substantial relationship between those with a positive family history of obesity and those who are of normal weight, as well as a positive relationship between those who ate more than two meals each day. Conclusions: University students frequently engage in risky health behaviors, so it's important to educate them on how to prevent them, especially when it comes to topics like exercise and nutrition. For the sake of their health and the health of future generations, prospective healthcare professionals must adopt the proper eating habits and a healthy lifestyle. We advise modifying BMI to account for fat distribution and coexisting diseases to gain a thorough understanding of the current situation.