Assessment of Body Mass Index and its Associated Nutritional Factors Among Undergraduate Medical Students in Tamil Nadu, India: A Cross-Sectional Study

BACKGROUND: Dietary habits and physical activity play an important role in maintaining a healthy body mass index. Studies among medical students worldwide report high burden of underweight (10 to 20.5%) and obesity (11.7 to 23.1%). This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status among undergraduate medical students of a medical college in Tamil Nadu, India and to examine the association of nutritional status with dietary practices and physical activity. METHODS: A cross sectional study was conducted among undergraduate medical students (final year MBBS, Part I) of a medical college in Tamil Nadu, India. A standardized, semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data on dietary habits and physical activity. Body weight and height was recorded using standard methods and body mass index (BMI) was calculated. BMI 18.5 to 22.9 kg/m(2) was defined as normal, <18.5 kg/m(2) as underweight, >= 23 to 24.9 kg/m(2) as overweight and >= 25 kg/m(2) as obese. Appropriate statistical tests were used for analysis. RESULTS: Eighty-five students (56.7%) were in the normal BMI range, 15 students (10%) underweight, 36 students (24%) overweight and 14 students (9.3%) were obese. Factors such as fruit intake, duration of physical activity, sleep and sedentary behavior had significant association with nutritional status (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The frequency of underweight and overweight is high among medical students. This study reinforces the need for creating awareness among this population regarding positive effects of normal nutritional status and adoption of healthy lifestyle habits.