A Study on Prevalence of Overweight, Obesity, and Assessment of Lipid Profile, Fasting Blood Glucose Levels in First Year Health Science Undergraduate Students

Abstract

Introduction-  Obesity is a major public health problem worldwide, a significant risk factor for metabolic disorders, affecting mostly adults of middle age but recently, also the young adults, mainly the college students. Lifestyle-related risk factors are prone to increase the burden of cardiovascular diseases. Thus, the study was carried out in health science students who are more prone to develop lifestyle diseases because of their busy schedules and less time for extracurricular activities.

Aims and Objectives- This research was done among First-year Health Science students with the aim to study the prevalence of obesity, assessing the values of lipid profile, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and their correlation.

Methods- This study was conducted among 385 first-year Health Science students of a Health Science University, Belagavi. The BMI was calculated by measuring the weight (in kg) and height (in meters) of students. FBG and lipid profile were estimated using enzymatic methods. Blood pressure (BP) was measured using a calibrated digital sphygmomanometer. Hip and waist circumference were calculated using standard guidelines.  Obesity was assessed using BMI and waist circumference.

Results- Among 385 students, 46 (11.9%) were underweight (BMI below18.5 kg/m2), 163 (42.3%) were normal weight (BMI 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m2) and 60 (15.6%) were overweight (BMI 23 to 24.9 kg/m2) and 88 (23%) were obese I (BMI 25 to 29.9Kg/m2 ), 22 (5.7%) were obese II (BMI 30 to 34.9 Kg/m2), 6 (1.6%) were Obese III ( BMI 35 Kg/m2and above). The mean values of various parameters in all students were as follows: BMI- 22.91± 4.43 kg/m2, W/H ratio - 0.83±0.07, systolic BP-115.72± 14.62 mmHg, diastolic BP-75.87±9.83 mmHg, fasting blood glucose- 89.62 ± 16.84 mg/dl, serum cholesterol- 140.4 ± 35.7 mg/dl, LDL- 87.4 ± 27.9 mg/dl, HDL- 41.7 ± 8.68 mg/dl and triglycerides - 94.10 ± 51.58 mg/dl. The mean values of W/H ratio, blood pressure, cholesterol, LDL, and triglycerides were higher (showing positive correlation), and the mean value of HDL was slightly lower (showing negative correlation), in overweight and obese BMI groups compared to normal weight BMI students.

Conclusions- A high prevalence of overweight, obesity was seen among the health science students and it was associated with, higher values of blood pressure, waist-hip ratio, triglyceride, and lower values of HDL. Therefore, it was concluded that since health science students will be the future health providers, it is essential to adopt healthy lifestyles at a young age.