scholarly journals Self-perception of Body Weight and Physical Activity with its Relationship to Actual Body Weight among Students in a Medical College: An Analytical Cross-sectional Study

Author(s):  
T Prathiba ◽  
G Rajkumar ◽  
M Anbarasi

Introduction: Obesity and sedentary life style are becoming more prevalent among the student generation. Every human being has a very good insight about the outlook. But many are not able to maintain what they perceive. During this survey, the students get a vivid picture of their real body weight and their perception of their body structure. Aim: To compare the self-perceived body weight with actual body weight among medical students and to analyse the perceptions and practice of medical student’s related to physical activity. Materials and Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study included 400 medical students. Self-perceived body image was assessed using Silhouette matching technique. Students represented the figure how they currently look (Feel) and how they actually wanted to look (Ideal). The Feel minus Ideal Discrepancy (FID) score was noted. Actual body weight and height were measured. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated using the Quetelet formula- weight(Kg)/height(metres)2. Perceptions and practice of physical activity were assessed using Exercise Benefits/Barrier Scale (EBBS). Comparison of perceived and actual body weight was done by Student’s Independent t-test and Pearson correlation test using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 17.0. Results: The actual BMI and perceived BMI showed strong positive correlation (r= 0.726; p=0.0001). Males had high exercise benefit scores (92) when compared with females (86) (p=0.0002). The students had high total score (benefit score plus barrier score); males had 127 and females had 124 (p=0.003) and high benefit/barrier ratio. Conclusion: Actual BMI and self-perceived BMI were well correlated indicating participant’s awareness of their body image. Male participants were more actively involved in physical activity and more concerned about maintaining their body weight. All students had higher benefit scores which is a favourable sign towards a healthy and active physical life.

Nutrients ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (3) ◽  
pp. 990
Author(s):  
Cuiting Yong ◽  
Hanmei Liu ◽  
Qiping Yang ◽  
Jing Luo ◽  
Yufeng Ouyang ◽  
...  

This study aims to explore the association between restrained eating, body image, and dietary intake among Chinese college students. This cross-sectional study included 1301 college students at two universities in Hunan Province. Electronic questionnaires were used to collect information including students’ demographic characteristics, restrained eating, perception of body weight, body satisfaction, and dietary intake. Anthropometric measurements were collected to calculate body mass index (BMI). The prevalence of high restrained eating was 52.8%. Students who were dissatisfied with their bodies or overestimated their body weight showed a higher tendency toward high restrained eating (p < 0.05). Students with high restrained eating tended to eat fruits and eggs more frequently, while the frequency of eating domestic animals and poultry, sugar-sweetened beverages, and fast food were the opposite. Moreover, high restrained eating was a risk factor for low dietary diversity (odds ratio (OR) = 1.384, 95% confidence interval: 1.002~1.912). The high incidence of restrained eating among Chinese college students and its energy-restricted diets that may lead to possible health implications require attention. Further studies are needed to investigate the characteristics of college students’ restrained eating to tailor appropriate interventions for forming positive body images and promoting healthy eating behaviors, thus, improving dietary quality.


2017 ◽  
Vol 9 (4) ◽  
pp. 266 ◽  
Author(s):  
Husam Eldin Elsawi Khalafalla ◽  
Mohamed Salih Mahfouz ◽  
Muath Hassan Ibrahim Najmi ◽  
Sayyaf Abdullah Mohammad Najmi ◽  
Qasem Ali Yahya Arishi ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND: Physical activity is one of the most important factors that affect human health; it reduces the chances of hypertension, coronary heart disease, stroke, diabetes, breast and colon cancer, and depression.OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to measure prevalence of physical activity and to determine the factors affecting the level of physical activity among medical student in Jazan University.METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted among the students of medical colleges of Jazan University. A random sample of 419 was determined using most recent physical activity prevalence. A validated self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection.RESULTS: There is a high prevalence of inactivity among study participants (88.1%). Females (91.7%) were more significantly (p value=0.013) inactive than males (83.8%). The most influential barrier perceived by participants is (heavy) academic work as well as lack of places for physical activity; the latter factor being more effective in hindering female students' physical activity.CONCLUSION: Results revealed that the inactivity rate was very high among medical students. The results of this study call for a well-planned intervention at the university level for improving the level of physical activity among university students.


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


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amra Zalihic ◽  
Maja Barbaric ◽  
Mirela Mabic ◽  
Marnela Palameta ◽  
Ankica Mijic Maric ◽  
...  

Abstract The number of obese and overweight people around the world rapidly grows and takes on epidemic proportions. The aim of this research is to determine the influence of body weight on quality of life and to investigate our patients' consciousness about their body weight and its impact on their quality of life.Methods : The cross-sectional study was conducted by interviewing 1067 respondents, using the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire.Results : Out of 1067 patients, 684 were females. 65.5 % of patients had BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 . 21.7% of 699 patients who had BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 think that their increased body weight doesn’t affect their health, 27.9 % of respondents think that their overweight is unrelated to physical activity, 41.8 % of respondents have no problems purchasing the clothes due to their weight and 31.6 % of respondents with BMI ≥25 kg/m 2 think that it doesn’t affect their quality of life.Conclusion : Quality of life is significantly better in respondents with BMI <25 kg/m 2 . The alarming result is that slightly less than half of respondents think that overweight doesn’t affect their health and don’t understand the seriousness of the problem.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Clécio Gabriel Souza ◽  
Marcelo Cardoso Souza ◽  
Hugo Jario Silva ◽  
Sanderson Assis ◽  
Diego Sousa Dantas

Abstract Background: Osteoarthritis (OA) is considered the third most prevalent chronic non-communicable disease in the Brazilian population, being responsible for a high rate of physical disability and reduced quality of life. Little has been discussed about the social factors associated with this health condition. This study aimed to analyze the social factors associated with OA in the Brazilian population. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study based on data from the 2013 National Health Survey in Brazil with OA as its main outcome. Gender, age, body weight, usual activities, physical activity, self-perceived health and diagnosis of depression were analyzed as independent variables. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Poisson multiple regression was performed, and the prevalence ratio (PR) and confidence interval (CI) of 95% were calculated using a significance level of 5% (p≤0.05). Results: A total of 60,202 individuals of both genders took part in this study and the OA prevalence was 6.4%. The individual factors associated with a higher prevalence of OA were female gender (PR = 2.09; CI = 1.95-2.25), age over 35 years (PR = 2.88; CI = 2.57-3.24) and excess body weight (PR = 1.61; CI = 1.25-2.07). The presence of OA showed an association with lower performance of usual activities (PR = 1.61; CI = 1.50-1.73) and self-perceived health as very poor (PR = 3.96; CI = 3.31-4.72). In addition, it was associated with a higher prevalence of mental illnesses such as depression (PR = 1.77; CI = 1.64-1.90). Conclusion: Social and modifiable factors which are associated with a higher prevalence of osteoarthritis can be controlled through incentive measures such as social participation and physical activity.


2008 ◽  
Vol 48 (2) ◽  
pp. 99 ◽  
Author(s):  
Herbowo A. Soetomenggolo ◽  
Agus Firmansyah ◽  
Agnes Kurniawan ◽  
Partini P. Trihono

Background Cryptosporidium infection is often found in children,especially children below three years old. Many risk factors canaffect cryptosporidiosis prevalence. At this moment, the prevalenceand risk factors of cryptosporidiosis in children in Jakarta areunknown.Objectives To determine the cryptosporidiosis prevalence, clinicalmanifestations, and risk factors in children below three years old.Methods This cross sectional study involved 474 subjects betweenthe age of 0 to 35 months in Ciliwung riverside, Kampung Melayuvillage, from December 2005 until April 2006. Stool specimenswere examined using modified acid-fast staining. Nutritional statuswas measured based on actual body weight over ideal body weightratio (NCHS-CDC 2000).Results Cryptosporidium cysts were found in stool sample of 10/474 subject (2.1%). Most of the cases used ground water as asource for drinking and washing. All positive cases lived in houseswith bad sanitation, flooded house and 9/10 cases had a crowdedhousehold. Cat and mice were the two most frequently foundanimals around the house. We found five asymptomatic cases andall of the cases were undernourished.Conclusions The prevalence of cryptosporidiosis in this study is2.1%. Due to small number of cases no risk factor could beidentified. Use of groundwater as a water source, bad sanitation,cat and mice around the house, flooded house, crowded householdand undernourishment might be related to cryptosporidiosisprevalence. Half of the infected children were asymptomatic.


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