Original Research Article
Year: 2019 | Month: March | Volume: 9 | Issue: 3 | Pages: 164-167
Body Mass Index and Eating Habits among the University Students
Ms. Sen Emerald H1, Makhila Thomas1, Aleena Raju1, Tobina Tomy1, Mrs. Reena Frank2, Dr. Leena K. C3
1IV year B.Sc students, Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangalore
2Lecturer, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Father Muller College of Nursing, Mangalore.
3Yenepoya Nursing College, Yenepoya deemed to be University, Deralakatte, Mangalore, DK District, Karnataka State.
Corresponding Author: Reena Frank
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Student life is a dynamic phase of a person’s life; wherein person’s development and growth occur, in this phase most of the habits developed by the students determine their present and future health status. Practices such as skipping breakfast, negligence in taking meals at proper time, sleep deprivation, usage of junk food as the alternative, etc. are seen commonly in university students. All these habits may increase the body weight or decrease it. The main objective was the study to assess body mass index of the university students and assess the eating habits of the students.
Method: A descriptive approach was adopted in this study. The study sample consisted of 200 subjects. A standard weighing machine and a standard stature meter were used in order to measure the weight and height of the subjects respectively. This information was later used to calculate their BMI. A self reporting checklist was used to collect information regarding their eating habits.
Result: According to frequency and percentage of the body mass index of the students included in this study, the result shows that 15% of the subjects were underweight, 55% had normal BMI, 20.5% were overweight and 9.5% were obese. Amongst the subjects, all of them consume mixed diet.
Discussion: The present study shows that the frequency of overweight students is more than underweight students. Also, Irregularity of meal intake is observed in the majority of students, while the majority also prefers eating from outside home or hostel.
Key words: BMI, junk food, eating habits.