scholarly journals Foundational knowledge regarding childhood obesity: a cross-sectional study of medical students

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emily Hill Guseman ◽  
Elizabeth A. Beverly ◽  
Jonathon Whipps ◽  
Sophia Mort

Abstract Background Documentation and diagnosis of childhood obesity in primary care is poor and providers are often unfamiliar with guidelines. This lack of knowledge may be attributed to insufficient training in medical school and residency; however, no studies have evaluated medical students’ knowledge of recommendations. Methods We distributed a modified version of the Physician Survey of Practice on Diet, Physical Activity, and Weight Control to medical students at a single university. Descriptive analyses assessed knowledge and attitudes of childhood obesity and diabetes. Results Of the 213 participating students, 74% indicated being unfamiliar with obesity screening recommendations. Few correctly identified BMI percentile cut-points for child overweight (21.2%), obesity (23.7%), and normal weight (29.4%). They reported screening glucose 4.5 years earlier in patients with risk factors compared to those without (p < 0.001). Conclusions Although students recognized the need for earlier diabetes screening in children with risk factors, we determined that overall, student knowledge of obesity-related preventative care was inadequate.

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hlma Ismail ◽  
Mosa Shibani ◽  
Hanaa Wael Zahrawi ◽  
Ali Fouad Slitin ◽  
Mhd Amin Alzabibi ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer death globally. Since early diagnosis is crucial to reducing mortality, high levels of knowledge regarding general information, risk factors, and symptoms are required among healthcare professionals to deliver breast cancer care. This study aimed to determine Syrian medical students’ knowledge about breast cancer in the fields of general knowledge, common clinical features, and risk factors. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Syrian Private University in October 2019 (Breast Cancer Awareness Month), Damascus, during the Syrian war crisis. Data were collected through self-administered surveys and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 25.0 (SPSS Inc., United States). The chi-square test was applied to assess the relationship between the level of knowledge and gender. One way analysis of variance was performed to assess the overall differences in mean knowledge score by study year, GPA, mother’s education, and source of information. Unpaired Student’s T-test was used to analyze the differences in mean knowledge scores (continuous variable) based on smoking status and alcohol consumption. Results Of 320 students, 301 completed the questionnaire (response rate = 94.0%), of which 179(59.5%) were males. The study revealed above-average knowledge scores (total mean = 68.4%) regarding breast cancer, general information (71.9%), common clinical features (71.6%), and risk factors (71.6%). Clinical students (4th, 5th, and 6th years) scored higher compared with pre-clinical students (1st, 2nd, and 3rd years). Conclusion This study showed above-average knowledge scores regarding breast cancer. More efforts to correct misinformation, through reassessing the university curriculum and promoting awareness about breast cancer are required.


2014 ◽  
Vol 53 (4) ◽  
pp. 283-293 ◽  
Author(s):  
Katarina Boričić ◽  
Snežana Simić ◽  
Nađa Vasiljević ◽  
Jelena Marinković

AbstractIntroduction. The pandemic of obesity in adolescents is one of the challenges of public health.Aim. The aim of this study was to examine the association of overweight with demographic, socioeconomic and lifestyle factors among Serbian adolescents.Method. A cross-sectional study of 2139 adolescents aged 10 to 19 years was carried out. Data used in this study were from the 2006 Health Survey. In accordance with the international sex- and age-specific Body Mass Index cut-off points, all participants were classified as being normal weight or overweight, including obese. The association between the risk factors and overweight were examined using a multivariate logistic regression model.Results. The study showed that 28.9% of boys and 17.0% of girls were overweight, while 14.5% of boys and 8.1% of girls were obese. Boys were more likely to be overweight/obese, compared with girls. Being younger (p< 0.01 for 14 to 15 years) and (p< 0.01, for 16 to 19 years), engaging in physical activities that last less than 7 hours a week, in such a manner that they breathe quickly and become sweaty, (p< 0.01) and skipping breakfast (p< 0.05) were risk factors significantly associated with overweight among adolescents. No significant association was found with wealth index.Conclusion. These findings should be an integral part of further preventive interventions, especially oriented towards younger adolescents, who are physically inactive, have a habit of skipping breakfast and are boys.


Author(s):  
Amina Ehsan ◽  
Farwa Iqbal ◽  
Muhammad Azeem Rao

Abstract Objectives: The objectives of the study were to find out the prevalence of internet addiction and to determine the risk factors associated with internet addiction in medical students. Methods: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out at Rawalpindi Medical University, Rawalpindi from July 2018 to August 2019. Our study population included medical students from all the years of MBBS aged 18-25 years, who have been using the internet for the past two years or more. A Stratified random sampling technique was used. Seventy-six self-administered questionnaires were distributed in each year. Data was entered and analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS version 25). Results: Out of the total sample of 380, the prevalence came out to be 90% (n=342). Two hundred and twenty-two 222 (58.4%) had mild, 115 (30.3%) had moderate, six (1.6%) had severe and 37 (9.7%) had no addiction. Out of the risk factors online friendships (p= 0.007), online relationships (P=0.035), online chatting (p= 0.009), online shopping (p= 0.009), online games (p=0.023) and online series/movies (p< 0.000) were statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of internet addiction is high among medical students, which is mostly of a mild type. Internet addiction is more common in males and non-hostel residents. Other significant risk factors are online relationships, online gaming, and online series/movies. Keywords: Prevalence, internet, medical students, risk factors. Continuous...


BMJ Open ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. e014070 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yoon Jung Kim ◽  
Ji Sung Lee ◽  
Juri Park ◽  
Dong Seop Choi ◽  
Doo Man Kim ◽  
...  

ObjectivesTo examine trends in socioeconomic inequalities in major cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors among the Korean population.DesignCross-sectional study.SettingA nationally representative population survey database.ParticipantsA total of 42 725 Koreans, aged 25–64 years, who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) II (2001) to VI (2013–2014).Main outcome measuresTrends in socioeconomic inequalities in five major CVD risk factors (smoking, obesity, diabetes, hypertension and hypercholesterolaemia).ResultsGender differences were noted in the time trends in socioeconomic inequalities in smoking, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Among men, low socioeconomic status (SES) was associated with higher prevalence of smoking, but not with obesity, diabetes or hypertension. The magnitudes of socioeconomic inequalities in smoking, obesity and diabetes remained unchanged, and the magnitude of the inequality in hypertension decreased over time. However, among women, low SES was associated with higher prevalence of smoking, obesity, diabetes and hypertension. Time trends towards increasing socioeconomic inequalities, measured by income, in smoking, obesity and diabetes were found in women. Unlike the other CVD risk factors, hypercholesterolaemia was not associated with socioeconomic inequality.ConclusionsSES had a stronger impact on major CVD risk factors among Korean women than men. Moreover, socioeconomic inequalities in smoking, obesity and diabetes worsened among Korean women over time. Public policies to prevent smoking, obesity and diabetes in women with lower SES are needed to address inequalities.


Author(s):  
Neha Chaudhary ◽  
Shradha Mishra ◽  
Manish Kumar ◽  
Yamini Sharma ◽  
Shamshad Ahmad

Introduction: Inspite of the fact that the medical students have a greater awareness about a healthy lifestyle; their academic stress to perform well may poorly affect their pattern of physical activity and thus, compromise their overall health. Aim: To assess the level of physical activity among undergraduate medical students studying in various institutions across the state of Bihar and to evaluate the Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) score so as to measure the intensity of physical activity performed by the participants. Materials and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study conducted among the undergraduate students, studying in different medical colleges across Bihar, India. An Online Google Form was created using a short version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). The collected data was analysed using Stata (Version 13) software. Results were presented as frequencies, mean and standard deviation. Chi-square test was applied to test for significant association at 0.05 level of significance. To identify the predictors of physical activity, multiple logistic regression analysis of the data was done. Results: A total of 1200 students participated in the study. Among these, 64.3% were males and 35.7% were females. More than half of the participants (57.6%) were aged <21 years. Majority of the participants (67.7%) had normal weight followed by overweight/obese (22.8%). Approximately, half of the participants (54.4%) reported availability of gym in their campus and only 26.7% of the participants were following regular routine of physical exercise. Maximum students under the study were residing in the hostel (89.4%); who were reaching college mainly by walking (74.8%), {OR=17.5 (12.9-23.5)}. On multivariate analysis; Body Mass Index (BMI), age, having an availability of gym in the campus and following a regular routine of physical exercise were found to be significant predictors of physical activity. Conclusion: In present study, the majority were sufficiently physically active. However, the low physical activity was observed among the overweight/obese participants is a distressing fact which may reflect the need to integrate the physical education electives in the curriculum


2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (41) ◽  
pp. 1911
Author(s):  
Amine Selim de Salles Gonçalves Melado ◽  
Filipe Alvarenga Caetano Vitorino ◽  
Ana Rosa Murad Szpilman ◽  
Wanêssa Lacerda Poton

Objective: To identify the prevalence of common mental disorders (CMD) in medical students at Vila Velha University (UVV), ES, and its associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with 360 medical students from February to April 2018. A self-administered, confidential and online questionnaire was used, including sociodemographic, economic data, family support, friends’ network, physical activity and academic performance, as well as Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20). Statistical analysis was performed using the STATA program, version 13.0. The Ethics Committee on Research with Humans approved the study, under number 2.108.290. Results: The prevalence of CMD among students was 45.6%. Risk factors were mental disorder in the family (RR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.54), poor sleep quality (RR 1.49, 95% CI 1.17-1.90), fear that impaired the academic result (RR 1.33, 95% CI 1.01-1.77), feeling rejected by friends (RR 1.45, 95% CI 1.07-1.96), thinking about giving up the course (RR 1.67, 95% CI 1.29-2.17) and physical discomfort during the test (RR 1.63, 95% CI, 1.21-2.20). Conclusions: The overall prevalence of CMD among students was high, and the risk factors were significant. It is recommended that educational institutions and responsible government agencies be able to formulate and subsidize preventive actions and care for the mental health of medical students.  


Author(s):  
Irfan Ullah ◽  
Md. Saiful Islam ◽  
Sajjad Ali ◽  
Hashaam Jamil ◽  
Muhammad Junaid Tahir ◽  
...  

Background: The unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in social distancing and isolation which leads to insufficient physical activity and thereby increases sedentary behaviors. Hence, this study aimed to assess the prevalence of insufficient physical activity and sedentary behaviors among medical students during the COVID-19 lockdown in Pakistan, and to determine their associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey was carried out among 407 medical students from the Punjab and Sindh provinces between May and June 2020. To collect data, an e-questionnaire was sent to obtain informed consent along with questions concerning socio-demographics as well as an International Physical Activity Questionnaires–Short Form (IPAQ–SF). Results: As per the IPAQ, almost five in ten participants were physically inactive (48.2%), and 45.2% reported sedentary behaviors. Participants with insufficient physical activity were more likely to report sedentary behaviors than their counterparts (AOR = 2.53; 95% CI = 1.66–3.85, p < 0.001). The odds of insufficient physical activity were higher among the participants who did not strictly follow the COVID-19 preventive measures (AOR = 2.51; 95% CI = 1.35–4.69, p = 0.004); similarly, there were increased odds of sedentary behaviors observed among participants within a normal weight range compared to those who were underweight (AOR = 2.69; 95% CI = 1.76–4.11, p < 0.001). Conclusions: Insufficient physical activity and sedentary behavior are prevalent among medical students in Pakistan during the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings indicate the importance of establishing tailored policies and programs to encourage young adults to engage in physical activity.


2018 ◽  
Vol 15 (3) ◽  
pp. 42-48 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lyubov V. Rychkova ◽  
Zhanna G. Ajurova ◽  
Anna V. Pogodina

Background: According to WHO forecasts, childhood obesity can soon become equally dangerous to public health as malnutrition and infectious diseases. Elimination of modifiable risk factors is important for the disease and disease-associated complications prevention. At the same time it is shown that the risk factors can vary widely not only from country to country but also from area to area within one country. Aim: To establish risk factors associated with obesity in adolescents in rural areas of Buryatia, Russia. Materials and methods: The cross-sectional study included 1117 year old adolescents with normal weight (BMI 2575 percentile) and obesity (BMI 95 percentile). We assessed anthropometric measures of adolescents and their parents, sociodemographic characteristics, early-life exposures, eating and lifestyle patterns. Results: The study included 128 adolescents with normal weight and 72 adolescents with obesity. Both groups were comparable by sex, age and ethnicity. Factors, associated with obesity in rural adolescents, were: parents obesity (odds ratio (OR) 3.63 (95% confidence interval (CI) 1.926.87); the mothers body mass index (OR 1.17 (95% CI 1.11.25)); duration of breast-feeding less than 4 months (OR 2.42 (95% CI 1.145.13)); disturbed dietary pattern (OR 2.54 (95% CI 1.15.88)). Factors showing protective effect were total breast-feeding duration (OR 0.94 (95% CI 0.890.99)) and mothers employment as a skilled worker (OR 0.51 (95% CI 0.270.96)). Conclusions: Characteristics of family (obesity in parents, mothers BMI), breast-feeding less than 4 months and the disturbed dietary pattern are the risk factors associated with obesity in adolescents living in rural areas of Buryatia which are worth considering when local obesity prevention programs are being developed.


Author(s):  
Ajay Kumar Agarwal ◽  
Ghanshyam Das Katiyar ◽  
Syed Esam Mahmood ◽  
Swati Khan ◽  
Mahendra Sharma

Background: Anaemia is a global health problem. Anaemia is one of most commonly recognized disorders. In view of ever increasing burden of anaemia in India and its detrimental effects on academic performance of students, it is necessary to find out the association of anaemia with BMI of medical and para medical students. This study was undertaken to find out association of anaemia with BMI among medical and para medical students of Rohilkhand Medical College, Bareilly.Methods: This cross sectional study was conducted in 344 medical and para medical students of Rohilkhand Medical College and Hospital, Bareilly. A structured schedule was used to collect the information regarding anaemia and BMI. Data was analyzed using SPSS software. Chi square test was applied.Results: Over all prevalence of anaemia was 29.07% prevalence was higher among female students (41.92%), among those aged between 25-26 years (75.00%) and among Muslims (40.54%), prevalence of anaemia among normal weight (31.92%) followed by underweight (27.02%) than in preobese (25.86%) while least among obese (20.83%).Conclusions: Anaemia is prevalent even in medical and para medical students who are well educated and well oriented about nutrition and its ill effect on health. BMI exhibits higher prevalence of anaemia among normal weight, followed by underweight, preobese and obese. 


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