The situation and some factors related to overweight and obesity of first-year students at Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the academic year 2021-2022

Abstract

A cross-sectional study was conducted to describe the statuation and some factors related to overweight and obesity among first-year students at the Hai Phong University of Medicine and Pharmacy in the academic year 2021-2022. The data was collected by using self-completed questionnaires and measured weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, and blood pressure from 557 first-year students of 7 different majors. The results showed that there were 69 overweight and obese students (12.4%), of which the proportion of overweight and obesity were 46.4% and 53.6% respectively. The related factors for overweight and obesity are male (OR=2.5, 95% CI: 1.4 – 4.3); students with prehypertension, hypertension (OR=2.3, 95%CI: 1.1 – 4.3). All students, especially male students with prehypertension and hypertension, should be informed so that they can actively control their weight and blood pressure, thereby preventing overweight and obesity and related adverse events.