Prevalence of obesity and association between body mass index and different aspects of lifestyle in medical sciences students: A cross-sectional study

Investigation of obesity and its related factors among Chinese medical staff: a cross-sectional pilot study

BACKGROUND

Many studies have covered the prevalence of obesity in different populations. However, studies on the prevalence and predictors of obesity among medical staff are lacking. The aim of our study is to investigate the prevalence of obesity among medical staff and to identify the related predictors.

METHODS

Using a snowballing recruitment strategy in the form of an electronic questionnaire, a cross-sectional survey was conducted among 1201 medical staff from cooperative hospitals between January and March 2022. We designed a questionnaire to investigate the participants' demographic, lifestyle, diet, physical activity, and work status.

RESULTS

The overall prevalence of obesity was 8.5%, with males (13.7%) having a greater incidence than females (5.7%) (p < 0.001). Multiple logistic regression analyses showed that alcohol drinking (OR, 2.34; 95% CI 1.23-4.42, p = 0.01), sugar-sweetened beverages consumed > 3/week (OR, 2.50; 95% CI 1.02-6.15, p = 0.046), and working a night shift > 1/week (OR, 2.17; 95% CI 1.02-4.61, p = 0.043) were independent predictive factors for obesity in men. For women, having midnight snack having midnight snack (OR, 2.93;95% CI 1.24-6.96, p = 0.015), good sleep quality (OR, 4.47; 95% CI 1.10-21.70, p = 0.038), and working a night shift > 1/week (OR, 3.62; 95% CI 1.73-7.57, p = 0.001) were independently associated with obesity.

CONCLUSIONS

Obesity presented a low prevalence among medical staff. Alcohol drinking, drinking sugar-sweetened beverages > 3/week, and night shift > 1/week predicted a higher risk of obesity in males. In females, having midnight snack, good sleep quality, and night shift > 1/week were independently associated with obesity.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

V, descriptive study.

Metabolic Syndrome Risk Factors in US College Students: A Pre-post Test Pilot Study

Purpose: Concerning rises in obesity and type 2 diabetes in college students warrants the investigation of potential mechanisms. The aim of this study was to (1) assess the association between Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) knowledge, perceived stress, and coping resources with changes in MetS risk factors in college students, and (2) examine differences between first-time on-campus and final-year college students. Methods: A pre-post study design over a 16-week semester examined changes in BMI and blood pressure of 43 undergraduate students (mean age 20.5 yrs. old, 86% female, 77% ethnic/racial minority). The MetS Questionnaire, Perceived Stress Scale, and Coping Resources Inventory were administered at baseline. Mixed-effects linear regression and independent samples t-tests were computed. Results/findings: There were no significant associations between changes in MetS risk factors and MetS knowledge, perceived stress, and coping resources. Students on campus for the first time had higher increases in BMI and gained more weight compared to students in their final years of college ( P < .05). Conclusions: Findings from this preliminary study suggest that students attending college for the first time demonstrate poorer MetS risk factors compared to peers. Additional studies are needed to explore the causal mechanism driving poor health outcomes in first time college students.

Lifestyle factors influencing medical and nursing student's health status at the rural health-care institute

BACKGROUND

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) may be influenced by lifestyle behavior, acquired during transition in student life at university. Health is a major concern globally. The developing counties are facing a double burden of disease, both communicable and NCD. This study is aimed to assess the lifestyle and its associated factors that can affect the health status of medical and nursing students.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among medical and nursing students of Sasaram, Bihar, by universal sampling. The study population consisted of 303 medical and 233 nursing students. The 536 students in the study, included 195 from rural areas and 341 from urban areas. Simple Lifestyle Indicator Questionnaire was used and Chi-square statistics was computed to determine the association of demographic variables with lifestyle behavior using Epi InfoTM 7 analysis software.

RESULTS

Mean age and body mass index were 21 ± 2.59 years and 22.12 ± 3.77, respectively. After statistical analysis utilizing the Chi-square test, it was shown that the difference was found to be nonsignificant (P > 0.05) in all the following variables, such as gender, age, marital status except in designation, and alcohol and tobacco intake which showed the difference to be highly significant.

CONCLUSIONS

The maximum number of students in the study population showed intermediate healthy lifestyle (57.1%), despite being the upcoming health-care providers of future. Fruits were rarely present in diet in 82%, no physical activity in 21.2%, and tobacco and alcohol were consumed by 11.7% and 13%, respectively. Targeted intervention for healthy diet, physical activity, stress, tobacco, and alcohol reduction can lead to healthy lifestyle. Independence and autonomy gained in the transition phase in student life needs guided supervision to raise responsible adults. It may help to assist or to plan accordingly in future to improve lifestyle of the students.