The Body mass index and eating habits in medical students of the Universidad Privada del Valle, 2024
Relación entre índice de masa corporal y hábitos en estudiantes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.52428/20756208.v20i49.1344Keywords:
Activity, Habits, Mass, Overweight, ObesityAbstract
Introduction: Eating habits vary among individuals, affecting their health. Knowing the Body Mass Index (BMI) in university students is key to designing strategies that promote healthy lifestyles. Materials and methods: A descriptive, quantitative, and cross-sectional study was conducted in 2024 with 250 medical students from the Universidad Privada del Valle. A questionnaire from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) was used to assess BMI and eating habits. Results: 59.2% were women and 40.8% were men, aged between 19 and 37 years. 66.4% had a normal BMI (mean 22.11 ± 1.75), 23.2% were overweight (26.82 ± 1.36), 4.8% had grade I obesity (31.94 ± 1.4), 3.6% were underweight (17.6 ± 0.42), and 2% had grade II obesity (37.19 ± 1.65). No significant association was found between BMI and physical activity. Overweight and obese men consumed more protein and fat, while women with grade II obesity had a high carbohydrate intake. Light physical activity predominated, although 41.67% of those with grade I obesity and 20% of those with grade II obesity were sedentary. Discussion: Although most participants had a normal BMI, a considerable proportion were overweight or had grade I obesity, mainly men. However, gender and physical activity did not show a significant relationship with BMI. Diet appears to have a greater impact, highlighting the need to implement educational strategies to improve student health.
Of the participants, 59.2% were women and 40.8% men, aged between 19 and 37. A normal BMI was found in 66.4% (mean 22.11 ± 1.75), overweight in 23.2% (26.82 ± 1.36), grade I obesity in 4.8% (31.94 ± 1.4), underweight in 3.6% (17.6 ± 0.42), and grade II obesity in 2% (37.19 ± 1.65). No statistically significant association was found between BMI and physical activity. Overweight and obese men consumed more proteins and fats, while women with grade II obesity had a high carbohydrate intake. Light physical activity was most common, although 41.67% of students with grade I obesity and 20% with grade II obesity were sedentary.
Although most students had a normal BMI, a significant proportion had overweight or grade I obesity, mainly in men. However, statistical analysis showed that neither gender nor physical activity significantly impacted BMI. Diet appeared to be the most influential factor. Implementing nutritional education and health strategies is crucial to reduce high BMI levels and improve student health.
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Copyright (c) 2025 Pamela Ivette Pardo Ramirez, Diego Martin Flores Quiroga, Nayely Limachi Flores, Aracelly Maristel Pinto Betancurt
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