scholarly journals Assessment of Overweight, Obesity and the Dietary Habits of Undergraduate Students of Lagos State University

Author(s):  
N. Arisa ◽  
D. Anaemene ◽  
W. Mekwunye

Aims: To determine the prevalence of overweight, obesity and dietary habits of under graduate students of Lagos State University. Study Design: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional survey. Place and Duration of Study: Lagos State University, Lagos, Nigeria, between June 2016 and July 2016. Methodology: 150 undergraduate students were selected through multistage random sampling. Information on socio-demographic characteristics, dietary habit and physical activity was obtained using structured questionnaire. Weight, height, Percentage Body Fat (PBF), waist and hip circumferences were measured according to standard procedures to compute Body Mass Indices (BMI), Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) and finally determine nutritional status. The data were presented as frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviations. Chi square was used to test for significant differences and level of significance set at 0.05. Results: The mean BMI, PBF and WHR of the participants were 23.4 ± 2.3 kg/m2, 23.1 ± 5.0% and 0.83 ± 0.09, respectively. Majority of the participants (86.7%) were of normal weight while 8% (10.4% males and 5.5% females) and 5.3% (5.2% males and 5.5% females) were overweight and obese, respectively. Using WHR, more number of students were overweight/obese (34%) compared to BMI (13.3%) and PBF (8.7%), all indicated higher abnormal status among males than females. Few students exhibited poor eating (15%) and physical inactivity (16%) habits. Majority of the students (75.3%) skipped breakfast and the least daily consumed food group was legume/nut group (0.5%). Snacks (42%) and processed (20%) foods were consumed more than roots/tubers (14%) which are staple foods. Conclusion: Central obesity was high among undergraduate students of Lagos State University. Breakfast skipping and low legume meal consumption were major dietary problems. Healthy lifestyle should be promoted among the university students to prevent overweight/obesity and its associated diseases.

SAGE Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 215824402110063
Author(s):  
MaryJoy Umoke ◽  
Prince Christian Ifeanachor Umoke ◽  
Chioma Adaora Nwalieji ◽  
Rosemary N. Onwe ◽  
Ifeanyi Emmanuel Nwafor ◽  
...  

Lassa fever is a zoonotic disease characterized by acute viral hemorrhagic fever, endemic in West Africa including Nigeria. The study assessed the knowledge and sources of information on Lassa fever infection among the undergraduate students of Ebonyi State University, Nigeria. This was a descriptive cross-sectional survey conducted among a sample of 389 students (18 years above). A self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data were analyzed with SPSS (Version 20), and hypotheses were tested at p < .05 level of significance. Results showed that the majority of the students had good knowledge of Lassa fever description, 232 (60.75%); the signs and symptoms, 221 (57.9%); mode of transmission, 261 (68.41%); and preventive measures, 291 (76.13%). Radio, 23 (84.6%), and television, 307 (80.4%), were their major sources of information. Age ( p = .424), sex ( p = .082), and academic level ( p = .553) were not significant in the study, while faculty (social sciences; p = .000*) was strongly associated with the knowledge of Lassa fever. In conclusion, the overall knowledge of Lassa fever was good among students, though knowledge gaps were observed in the signs and symptoms. We recommend that health education on endemic diseases in the state be made a compulsory course as a general study (GST) in the university. Also, the internet, social media, and campus campaign be further used to educate and sensitize students on the effect of Lassa fever.


Author(s):  
Mahmuda Mohammad ◽  
Muhammad Abdul Baker Chowdhury ◽  
Md Nazrul Islam ◽  
Arifa Ahmed ◽  
Farha Nusrat Zahan ◽  
...  

AbstractIntroductionUniversity students generally face a variety of challenges. During this period of life, they practice some unhealthy eating patterns and lifestyles. Therefore, we aimed to assess the health awareness status of university students from the northeast part of Bangladesh and to evaluate its associated factors.MethodsWe conducted a cross-sectional study using a stratified random sampling among public and private university students from the northeast region of Bangladesh and interviewed 1143 students. We used a self-reported questionnaire, including questions related to awareness status, lifestyle practice, dietary habit and socio-demographic factors. To assess students’ health awareness status and its association with their lifestyle practices and socio-demographic factors, we used logistic regression models.ResultsThe majority (61%) of the students were not aware of better health status and their dietary habits were not adequate. Smokers [odds ratio (OR): 0.66; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.44, 0.99] were less likely to be aware of better health status. The participants who thought that they were leading a healthy lifestyle were less likely (OR: 0.71; CI: 0.56, 0.92) to be aware. Moreover, frequency of participating in sports and the psychological factors related to eating behaviors were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with health awareness status.ConclusionOur study findings may help to create a foundation for possible interventional programs on health awareness and nutritional education to improve the health awareness status and dietary behavior of university students. To prevent students from poor eating habits while feeling happy, effective programs (e.g. seminars, projects and media campaigns) should be held, which may include enhancing healthy and recommended amounts of food consumption.


2020 ◽  
pp. 1-10
Author(s):  
Janet AgyarkwaaOti ◽  
Guy Eshun

Even though empirical evidence exists to validate the avowal that dietary habits hold the key in reducing the surge in non-communicable diseases among adolescents and young adults and for optimal nutritional status, little is known about the nexus of these variables in the Ghanaian context and much less in Ghanaian universities. In view of this dearth in literature, this study investigated dietary habits and its effect on nutritional status among undergraduate students of the Winneba Campus of University of Education, Winneba. Using the Social-Ecological Model (SEM) as the theoretical basis, this study adopted the cross-sectional descriptive survey research design with the quantitative approach where proportionate stratified random sampling technique was used to select 3,065 students for the study. The assessment of nutritional status was done where height and weight were measured in Kg/m2and the body mass index (BMI) was calculated based on the recommendations by the World Health Organization. Data on the dietary habits was collected with a closed-ended questionnaire which was analyzed using both descriptive statistics like frequency, percentages, mean, standard deviation as well as inferential statistics such as multiple regression.The study discovered that undergraduate students of the University of Education, Winneba, were of normal weight than overweight and underweight while obesity was ranked the least. The study further revealed that even though students moderately consumed fish, meat, eggs and dairy products legumes and nuts, they had a low intake of fruits and vegetables, but high consumption of energy-dense foods and fast foods such as cakes, pastries, cookies, deep-fried foods, biscuits, sandwiches, indomie and of soft drinks. It was further established that majority of the students skipped meals notably breakfast. Besides, the study showed that all the dietary habits outlined in the study collectively contributed significantly to students’ nutritional status. Therefore, it is recommended that the University through its health directorate and the Department of Food and Nutrition should regularly organize health talks and symposiums to admonish students on the dangers of not observing optimal dietary habits. Additionally, the University through its Academic Board should introduce a general course on nutrition education to equip students with current theories in dietary practices for improved dietary habits.


2021 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 2835-2837
Author(s):  
Saima Naz Mohsin ◽  
Muddassir Barkat ◽  
Atiq Ahmad ◽  
Ambreen Muddassir ◽  
Rizwan Jameel

Objectives: To determine the frequency of overweight or obese among undergraduates and enlist the determinants of overweight or obese among undergraduates. Study Design: Cross-sectional study Place and Duration of Study: Shaikh Zayed Medical Complex, Lahore from 1st February 2021 to 31st July 2021. Methodology: Two hundred undergraduates aged 15-25 years were included who anonymously provide the information related to BMI and information on their life style and dietary and physical habits. Results: Seventy eight (39%) undergraduates students were found as overweight or obese and 122 (61%) were as normal weight. There was a significant association between gender and overweight or obese being higher among females (p=0.04) and a highly significant association was found between residence in hostel and overweight or obesity (p=0.000). Significant association of physical activity (p=0.000), place of breakfast (p=0.000), soft drink usage (p=0.004), snack taking between breakfast and lunch (p=0.000), tea habit >2 times/day (p=0.001) and sleep duration (p=0.000) were observed among study participants. Conclusion: High frequency of overweight or obesity was found among undergraduates. Poor dietary habits and inactive physical life were main factors those were associated with overweight or obesity. Counselling can be done for these students for adopting preventive lifestyle in order to prevent overweight or obesity and its consequences. Key words:Frequency, Determinants, Obesity, Undergraduate students


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christian Obirikorang ◽  
Emmanuel Acheampong ◽  
Enoch Odame Anto ◽  
Yaa Obirikorang ◽  
Angela Nana Bosowah Fynn ◽  
...  

Abstract Background: Anthropometric indices such as body mass index (BMI) is a widely used index of adiposity across clinical settings, yet there are limitations regarding their estimates of body fat. We determined the magnitude and the performance of fat mass index (FMI), and percentage body fat (PBF) for determining obesity among undergraduate students in the Kumasi Metropolis, Ghana. Methods: This University community-based cross-sectional study included 1,552 undergraduate students (700 males and 852 females) aged 15–29 years from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi, Ghana. Anthropometric measurements and bioelectrical impedance analyses were performed. Data on sociodemographic and lifestyle-related characteristics were obtained using a structured questionnaire. Results: Comparing male to female students, the age-standardised prevalence of overweight/obesity was 10.8%/3.5% vs. 19.3%/7.6% (p<0.0001) for BMI criterion, 16.4%/8.5% vs. 21.9%/19.9% (p<0.0001) for PBF criterion and 16.0%/9.2 vs. 21.2%/22.0% for FMI criterion (p<0.0001), respectively. There was a stronger agreement between PBF and FMI in the classification of overweight and obesity in terms of males (kappa=0.855) and females (kappa=0.865) but a weak agreement between BMI and PBF and between BMI and FMI. About 29.3% of males and 61.4% of the females categorized as normal weight by BMI were identified as overweight by PBF. Similarly, 3.0% of male and 1.3% of females defined as normal weight by BMI were obese when examined by PBF. FMI can be predicted from BMI and BMI2 with much accuracy (mean bias = -0.1). Conclusion: The inconsistency observed between BMI and PBF reflects a limitation of BMI. FMI accurately assessed obesity with many conveniences as BMI to the same extent.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 133-145
Author(s):  
A.I. Omogbiya ◽  
K.K. Anachuna ◽  
E.K. Umukoro ◽  
E.G. Moke ◽  
A. Nzei

Objective: This study aimed at determining the prevalence of migraine and tension-type headaches amongst undergraduates of Delta State  University (DELSU), Abraka, Delta State, Nigeria and its relationship with academic related-stress. Methods: A cross-sectional survey among 432 undergraduate students across the eleven Faculties of DELSU, Abraka, Nigeria, using questionnaires to determine the prevalence of migraine headache (MH) and tension-type headache (TTH). The data extrapolated were analyzed with SPSS  statistical software (version 20). Results: MH was shown to have a high prevalence (198, 45.8%) among student of DELSU. Photophobia accompanied most MH episodes more than phonophobia, nausea, vomiting. Similarly, TTH was also very prevalent 237 (54.9%) amongst students of DELSU with females being more vulnerable than male. Spearman's correlation analysis revealed that the prevalence of MH and TTH is strongly associated to student's academic-related activities. Conclusion: Academic-related stress activities were major predisposing triggers for the prevalence of both headaches. Keywords: Abraka, academic-related stress activities, DELSU, migraine, stress, tension-type headache,


2020 ◽  
Vol 04 (04) ◽  
Author(s):  
Muhammad Sohaib Asghar ◽  
Maira Hassan ◽  
Sarah Kamran Akbani ◽  
Nimra Shaikh ◽  
Uzma Rasheed ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
pp. 101053952110110
Author(s):  
Md. Nazrul Islam ◽  
Abu Reza Md. Towfiqul Islam ◽  
Md. Sajjat Hossain ◽  
Md. Tabiur Rahman Prodhan ◽  
Mohammad Hasan Chowdhury ◽  
...  

We aimed to assess mass media influence on changing the healthy lifestyle behavior of people during the early phase of the COVID-19 (coronavirus disease 2019) pandemic. Principal component analysis and stepwise multiple regression model showed that knowledge level, media credibility, and media check-in had the most considerable contribution to influencing community people’s healthy lifestyle.


2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (1) ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
Koawo Edjah ◽  
Francis Ankomah ◽  
Ebenezer Domey ◽  
John Ekow Laryea

AbstractStress is concomitant with students’ life and can have a significant impact on their lives, and even how they go about their academic work. Globally, in every five visits by patients to the doctor, three are stress-related problems. This study examined stress and its impact on the academic and social life among students of a university in Ghana. The descriptive cross-sectional survey design was employed. Using the stratified and simple random (random numbers) sampling methods, 500 regular undergraduate students were engaged in the study. A questionnaire made up of Perceived Stress Scale and Students’ Life Satisfaction Scale was used to gather data for the study. Frequencies, percentages, means and standard deviation, and Structural Equation Modeling (SEM), with AMOS were used for the analyses. It was found that majority of the students were moderately stressed. Paramount among the stressors were academic stressors, followed by institutional stressors, and external stressors. Stress had a significant positive impact on the academic and social life of students. It was concluded that undergraduate students, in one way or the other, go through some kind of stress during the course of their study. It was recommended that the university, through its Students’ Affairs, and Counselling Sections, continue to empower students on how to manage and deal with stress in order to enhance their academic life.


2011 ◽  
Vol 14 (10) ◽  
pp. 1813-1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michela Barichella ◽  
Alexis E Malavazos ◽  
Giuseppe Fatati ◽  
Emanuele Cereda

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the awareness and knowledge about weight status and its management.DesignA 1 d cross-sectional survey. Basic anthropometric assessments (weight, height, BMI and waist circumference) and a self-administered questionnaire were considered.SettingNineteen Clinical Nutrition or Endocrinology and Metabolic Disorders Units or Dietetics Services in the Italian region of Lombardy.SubjectsAll adults attending the ‘Obesity Day’ initiative.ResultsA total of 914 participants (605 female and 309 male) were recruited. Although most of the participants (83·5 %) considered obesity to be a disease, 38·5 % were likely to misperceive their weight status. In particular, 38·8 % of normal-weight adults believed themselves to be overweight, whereas 71·1 % and 37·5 % of classes I and II/III obese adults classified themselves as being overweight and mildly obese, respectively. However, most of the overweight (90·2 %), mildly (96·8 %) and moderately/severely obese adults (99·1 %) recognized the need to lose weight. In all, 37·8 % of the sample underestimated the role of physical activity in weight management. Interestingly, only 17·2 % of dieters (previous or current) declared being advised by their doctor to lose weight. Multivariate models revealed that higher age, low education and higher BMI were important determinants of poor weight control and management. In addition, previous dieting appeared not to provide better knowledge, whereas the role of physical activity was recognized mainly by those practising it.ConclusionsThe present study suggests that in Italy knowledge about weight management should be improved not only in the general population but also among health-care professionals. To confirm this finding, there is now the rationale for a nationally representative survey. New educational programmes can be designed on the basis of the information collected.


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