Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity in Relation to Life-Style Among Saudi Arabian Female Nursing Students

Obesity is a global and substantial public health crisis in developed & developing world. Overweight and obesity are increasingly being observed among the youth. This growing rate represents a pandemic that needs urgent attention if its potential morbidity, mortality, and economic consequences are to be avoided. The Aim of this study was: • To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity on a sample of undergraduate nursing students. • To determine if there is a relationship among certain sociodemographic characteristics, life style and overweight or obesity. Design: Cross sectional survey-descriptive correlation study, design was used to conduct this study. Setting: The study was conducted in College of Nursing Dammam University Subjects: convenient sample consisted of 300 nursing students who accepted to participate in the study. Their aged from 18 to 22 years. Tools: Two tools were used in this study namely: "Structured Interview Sheet", to assess socio-demographic characteristics, health history & physical examination and Students' weight status based on BMI categories and percentage body fat. Calculate waist circumference and hip/Waist Ratio. "Life Style Questionnaire" to assess student’s lifestyle practices including eating habits, meal patterns, physical activity and smoking habit. Results: Prevalence of overweight and obesity were (35.4%). The unhealthy eating habit of students was noticed in the intake of fried food (majority reported eating fried food one or two times/w). Frequent snacking and eating fried food can adversely affect students' health status, given the abundance of energy dense and high fat ingredients they contain. Physical exercise was practiced at a lower rate by nursing students; 19.7%. Correspondence to: Prof. Shadia Aboul Azm, The Department of Community Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Alexandria University, Egypt.