Publication: Prevalence of Obesity in Medical students and its correlation with cardiovascular risk factors: Emergency Alarm for Today?
Date
2015
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kathmandu University
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background
It is predicted that the prevalence of overweight and obesity will rise significantly by
2015 in young population. Problem of overweight and obesity has been recognized
as public health problem worldwide due to the fact that it increases the risk of
chronic diseases such as Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD), stroke, diabetes, sleep
apnoea, osteoarthritis etc.
Objective
To assess the body mass index in medical students and its association with various
cardiovascular risk factors like blood pressure, dietary habits, and family history of
cardiovascular diseases.
Method
A university based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted in Department
of Physiology, Smt. B.K. Shah Medical Institute & Research Center, Vadodara,
Gujarat. Data was collected through convenient sampling technique by using self-
administered questionnaire followed by anthropometric measurement. Body Mass
Index (BMI) of 138 first year medical students was assessed. Systolic blood pressure,
diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, mean blood pressure, pulse rate and arterial
oxygen saturation were measured.
Result
Data was compiled in excel sheet, analyzed for percentage and proportion. Chi square
and Pearson correlation test were also applied and alpha error was set at 5% level. In
comparison to the students with normal BMI, students with BMI >25 kg/m2 (N=49)
showed significantly high blood pressure indices. Dietary habits and family history of
cardiovascular diseases were also noted. Highly significant association of high BMI
was found with elevated blood pressure (X2=7.4042***, p<0.001) and presence of
family history of cardiovascular diseases X2=9.8625***, p<0.001). BMI is negatively
correlated with SpO2 (r= -0.0504, p<0.05) and pulse rate, while positively correlated
with systolic blood pressure (r=0.2736) and diastolic blood pressure (r=0.0275).
Conclusion
In conclusion, majority (more than 35%) of medical students were overweight, high
prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors like family history, elevated blood pressure
and less SpO2.
KEY WORDS
Body mass index, fast food, oxygen saturation
Description
Purohit G,1 Shah T,2 Harsoda JM,1
1Department of Physiology
2Department of Biochemistry
SBKS MI & RC, Dhiraj Hospital
Sumandeep Vidyapeeth
Piparia, Vadodara 391760, Gujarat, India
Keywords
Body mass index, Fast food, Oxygen saturation