GULF MEDICAL JOURNAL
GMJ, ASM 2015;4(S2):S14-S23
Obesity Among University Students: A cross-Sectional Study
in Ajman, UAE
Elham A. Ahmed1, Ahmed A. Ahmed1, Mohammad S. Huque1*, Anas Abdulhameed1, Ikram Khan1,
Jayakumary Muttappallymyalil2
13rd
year MBBS students, 2Department of Community Medicine, Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE
*Presenting Author
ABSTRACT
Objectives: This research was conducted to determine the proportion of obesity among
university students and the factors associated with it.
Materials and Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted among students enrolled in
the preclinical years, in the six academic programs. A validated, self-administered
questionnaire with domains such as socio-demographic characteristics, self-reported
physical activity, dietary habits, and anthropometric measurements was used. Height and
weight were measured and Body Mass Index was calculated and categorized according to
WHO criteria. The data were analyzed by SPSS 21, Descriptive analysis and Chi square test
were performed.
Results: Out of 233 participants, 181 (78.4%) were <20 years and majority of them were
females (172, 76.8%). 142 (60.9%) were 1st year students and 111 (46.7%) were from Eastern
Mediterranean region. Among the total, 41 (17.6%) were having overweight and 16 (6.9%)
with obesity. 65% performed physical activity in the last month, of which 100 (66%)
performed vigorous physical activity. 212 (95.5%) reported a diet history of mixed Diet. No
significant association was noted except for gender and year of study with BMI where 34.6%
of males were overweight & obese compared to females (21.5%) and 29.6% of them were 1 st
year students as compared to the 2nd year students (16.5%). Overweight and obesity were
found more among participants who were not doing physical activity (32.1%) as compared to
those doing physical activity (20.4%), of which obesity was less among those who performed
vigorous activity (19%). Participants who follow vegetarian diet (80%) had normal BMI as
compared to the mixed diet followers of 59%.
Conclusion: Almost a one fourth was found to be overweight and obese. A statistically
significant association between obesity and year of study was observed. Participants who
follow a mixed diet had noticed with higher percentage of overweight and obesity as compared
to those students on a vegetarian diet. There is a need to address the obesogenic environment
to the university students and the students need to be involved in promoting healthy
lifestyles.
Keywords: Obesity, preclinical, medical students, BMI
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INTRODUCTION
Obesity has been defined as abnormal or increased fat accumulation and the crude
population measure of obesity is the Body Mass Index (BMI). BMI is used as a measure
to categorize underweight, overweight and obesity in adults. According to WHO a BMI of
30kg/m2 or more is considered as obese1. Obesity was considered as a problem of
developed countries but is now on the increase in the developing countries as well. It has
been identified as a major public health issue, affecting more than one in five adults in
the United States2. WHO report states that more than 300 million are obese and that at
least 2.8 million people die each year as a result of diseases due to excess weight or
obesity. The worldwide prevalence of obesity has doubled between 1980 and 2008. In
2008, 10% of men and 14% of women across the globe were obese, compared with 5%
for men and 8% for women in 19803.
The prevalence of obesity has its highest rate in the WHO Regions of the Americas
(26% for obesity in both sexes)2,4-6 and its lowest rate in the WHO Region of South-East
Asia (3% for obesity in both sexes). In the Europe Region, the Eastern Mediterranean
Region and in the Region of Americas, over 50% of women are overweight. For all three
of these regions, roughly half of overweight women are obese (23% in Europe, 24% in the
Eastern Mediterranean, 29% in the Americas)2. In the WHO European region the
prevalence of obesity has tripled in most of the since 1980s and it has increased the risk
of cardiovascular diseases and cancer7. In the WHOEMRO region, the highest levels of
obesity are reported in Egypt, Bahrain, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia and United Arab
Emirates in adults. The prevalence of obesity ranges between 74% and 86% in women
and between 69% and 77% in men8. A study conducted among university students in
Iran reported a mean BMI of 21.7rsity stu2 with 12.4% of the students had a BMI more
than 25 kg(m2)9. The prevalence of overweight was 31%, and obesity was 23.3% in a
study conducted in Saudi Arabia10 and in UAE it was 24% and 7.5%11.
In all WHO regions, women are more likely to be obese than men. In the WHO
regions for Africa, Eastern Mediterranean and South-East Asia, women have roughly
doubled obesity prevalence than men. The prevalence of obesity is 7% for both genders
combined. Women's obesity is significantly higher than men's, with the exception of highincome countries, where it is similar. In low- and lower-middle-income countries, obesity
among women is approximately double than among men.
Obesity has been identified as a major risk factor for numerous chronic diseases
such as diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, stroke and cancer1,3.
Obesity causes physical and psychological disabilities in the affected individuals.
Globally, 44% of diabetes, 23% of ischemic heart disease and between 7% and 41% of
certain cancer burdens are attributable to obesity3.
The factors associated with obesity include age, gender, ethnicity, culture, food
habits, life style factors, and lack of physical activity9, 12,13. Assessing the nutritional
status of young adults is a vital tool and an ideal indicator of dietary habit. An
unaccepted diet with high content of macronutrient is closely related to a higher
prevalence of overweight and obesity14. A diet which contains high quality and
appropriate quantity, in young adult can have a good effect on the health of the
individual. A deviation from this can result in over or underweight. In most of the
countries, researches on obesity have mainly been done among vulnerable population
such as elderly, women, and children. Young adults especially students tend to have
undesirable diet either in the form of over or under eating 15. Major economic changes
lead to changes in eating and physical activity and quality of life of people in Arabian
populations. Combination of high fat diet and sedentary life style play a major role in the
causation of obesity16-20. Understanding the magnitude of obesity and factors associated
with it, is important to plan and implement the interventions for preventing this public
health issue.
Despite the worldwide rise in obesity among the young and the benefit of early
detection and risk modification, the features, magnitude or epidemiological
characteristics of obesity has rarely been studied in the UAE even among students in
health profession. To fill this gap, a research was conducted to assess the distribution
of obesity and associated factors among students in Gulf Medical University.
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MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross-sectional study was conducted among 233 preclinical students of Medicine,
Dentistry, PharmD, Bachelor of Biomedical sciences, Health sciences and Physical
therapy in Gulf Medical University, Ajman, UAE. All preclinical students studying in Gulf
Medical University, any nationality, both gender, and above the age of 18 years were
included. Those who were not willing to participate in the research were excluded.
Approval obtained from GMU Ethics and Research committees, and permission was
obtained from the Deans of respective colleges before the start of the study. Purpose of
the study was explained to the participants and a questionnaire was distributed to all
those who had consented to participate in the study. A questionnaire was designed to
collect the data, Socio-demographic characteristics recorded include: age, gender,
discipline, year of study, and nationality. Anthropometric measurements such as height
and weight were recorded. The participation in physical activity had been assessed by
their weekly frequency of activity, inquiring into the types of activity, intensity and
duration. The subjects who engaged in activities at least three times per week had been
defined as regular physical activity group, those with once per week, as irregular physical
activity, and the others as sedentary. Dietary habits had been assessed by inquiring
about type of food consumed in the past one week, frequency, and quantity, history of
weight loss diet, and special diet, junk food consumption had been elicited. Medical
history had been assessed for any self-reported chronic diseases such as hypertension,
diabetes, heart and renal diseases, medications and family history. Anthropometric
parameters like height (in cm) and weight (in kg) had been measured by researchers
using stadiometer. The instruments and measurement procedures had been
standardized. Body mass index calculated from this data. Information was collected on
socio demographic characteristics, details of physical activity, and diet history which had
been elicited in detail. Completed questionnaires were collected immediately after the
study. Data were fed into Excel spread sheet and transferred to SPSS 21 version for
analysis. Descriptive analysis was performed and Chi-square test was done to determine
the association between obesity and factors associated with it. The statistical significance
is considered at p <0.05.
RESULTS
The present research was conducted among 233 students enrolled in various programs
such as MBBS, DMD, BPT, Pharm D, BHS, and BBMS to determine the proportion of
obesity among them and its association with socio-demographic characteristics, physical
activity, and Dietary factors.
Table 1: Distribution of Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants’ (N=233)
Socio-demographic
Characteristics
Age in years*
Gender*
Program
Groups
No.
%
<20 years
181
78.4
≥20 years
50
21.6
Male
52
23.2
Female
172
76.8
MBBS
59
25.3
DMD
59
25.3
BPT
13
5.6
Pharm D
44
18.9
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Year of Study
Nationality groups
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BBMS
32
13.7
BHS
26
11.2
1st Year
142
60.9
2nd Year
91
39.1
African
53
22.7
6
2.6
111
47.6
European
10
4.3
South East Asian
48
20.6
Western Pacific
5
2.1
Married
8
3.6
216
96.4
American
Eastern Mediterranean
Marital Status
Single
*Information missing
Table 1 describes the Socio-demographic characteristics of the participants. Out
of 231 participants 181 (78.4%) were in the age group less than 20 years and 50 (21.6%)
were greater than or equal to 20 years. Participants were from different programs such
as MBBS, DMD, BPT, Pharm D, BHS, and BBMS. Participants from 1st year were 142
(60.9%) and 2nd year 91 (39.1%). The nationality of participants was categorized
according to WHO region-wise, 53 (22.7%) were from Africa region, from the region of
America were 6 (2.3%), from Eastern Mediterranean region were 111 (47.6%), from
European region were 10 (4.3%), South East Asia region were 48 (20.6%) and from
Western Pacific region were 5 (2.1%). Of the total participants, 8 (3.6%) students were
married and 216 (96.4%) single.
Table 2: Distribution of participants’ anthropometric characteristics (N=233)
Socio-demographic
Characteristics
Height (in cms)
Weight (in kg)
BMI
No.
%
Groups
≤ 150.9
14
6.0
151.0-160.9
76
32.6
161.0-170.9
97
41.6
≥171.0
46
19.7
≤50.9
58
24.9
51.0-70.9
126
54.1
71.0-90.9
37
15.9
≥91.0
12
5.2
Under Weight (≤18.50 )
39
16.7
137
58.8
Over Weight (25.0-29.99)
41
17.6
Obese (≥30.0)
16
6.9
Normal (18.51-24.99)
With regard to anthropometric measurements of the participants, height was
categorized into four groups. Of the participants 97 (41.6%) were between 161.0-170.9
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GMJ, ASM 2015;4(S2):S14-S23
cms. With regard to weight of the participants, 126 (54.1%) were between 51.0-70.9 kg,
and 12 (5.2%) were ≥91.0 kg. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated and categorized
according to WHO criteria. Of the total participants, underweight (≤18.50) were 39
(16.7%), Normal weight (18.51-24.99) were 137 (58.8%), Over Weight (25.0-29.99) were
41 (17.6%) and Obese (≥30.0) were 16 (6.9%). Details are given in table 2.
Among the participants, 25 (10.7%) gave history of smoking. Out of the
participants who have smoking history, smoked cigarette were 21 (84%), shisha 24
(96%), midwakh 9 (36%) and smokeless form 3 (12%). Of the ever smokers, 14 (56%)
were current smokers.
No
35%
Yes
65%
Figure 1: Distribution of participants’ self-reported physical activity performed in the last month
(N=233)
Figure 1 depicts the distribution of participants according to self-reported
physical activity performed in the last month. Of the total participants, physical activity
was performed by 152 (65%) whereas 81 (35%) did not perform any kind of physical
activity in the last month.
52, 34%
Moderate PA
Vigorous PA
100, 66%
Figure 2: Distribution of participant any kind of physical activity was performed in the last month
It was observed that 100 (66%) were performing vigorous physical activity,
whereas 52 (34%) were performing only moderate level physical activity. Details are given
in figure 2.
Of the total participants’ majority were with a diet history of mixed Diet
212(95.5%).
For students aged <20 years, 29 (16%) were underweight, 104 (57.5%) normal
weight and 48 (26.5%) were overweight and obese. While students aged ≥20 years, 10
(20%) reported as underweight, 37 (62%) normal, and 9 (18%) as overweight and obese.
The association observed was not statistically significant.
Male students reported to have higher percent of overweight and obesity 18
(34.6%) than female students who reported to have obesity 37 (21.5%). The association
observed was statistically significant (p value for participant Students of BHS program
reported to have higher BMI 10 (38.5%), followed by BBMS 9 (28.1%), Pharm D 12
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(27.3%), MBBS 13 (22%), DMD 12 (20.3%), and BPT reported as the least students to
have obesity and overweight 1 (7.7%). Majority of the 1st year students were overweight
and obese 42 (29.6%) than 2nd year students 15 (16.5%). The association observed was
statistically significant (p value ≤0.05). Students from the Eastern Mediterranean region
found to be overweight and obese 35 (31.5%), followed by students from the African
region 14 (26.4%). Data showed that majority of the married students were overweight
and obese 3 (37.5%) while 50 (23.1%) of single were overweight and obese. Details are
given in table 3.
Table 3: Association between participant’s Socio-demographic characteristics and level of BMI (N=233)
Sociodemographic
Characteristics
Groups
Age in years*
Gender*
Program
Under weight
Nationality
groups
No.
%
<20 years
29
16.0
104
57.5
48
26.5
≥20 years
10
20.0
31
62.0
9
18.0
4
7.7
30
57.7
18
34.6
Female
33
19.2
102
59.3
37
21.5
MBBS
8
13.6
38
64.4
13
22.0
DMD
10
16.9
37
62.7
12
20.3
BPT
--
--
12
92.3
1
7.7
11
25.0
21
47.7
12
27.3
BBMS
7
21.9
16
50.0
9
28.1
BHS
3
11.5
13
50.0
10
38.5
1st Year
25
17.6
75
52.8
42
29.6
2nd Year
14
15.4
62
68.1
15
16.5
African
13
24.5
26
49.1
14
26.4
2
33.3
4
66.7
--
--
17
15.3
59
53.2
35
31.5
Male
American
No.
p value
%
Eastern
Mediterranean
Marital
Status
Overweight &
Obese
No.
Pharm D
Year of Study
Normal
%
NS
p<0.05
--
p<0.05
--
European
2
20.0
6
60.0
2
20.0
South East Asian
5
10.4
38
79.2
5
10.4
Western Pacific
--
--
4
80.0
1
20.0
Married
--
--
5
62.5
3
37.5
36
16.7
130
60.2
50
23.1
Single
--
Table 4: Association between participant’s lifestyle factors and level of BMI (N=223)
Under weight
Personal
Habits
Groups
No.
Smoking
Normal
%
No.
%
Overweight &
Obese
No.
p value
%
Ever
4
16.0
12
48.0
9
36.0
Never
35
16.8
125
60.1
48
23.1
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Perform
physical
exercise
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Yes
26
17.1
95
62.5
31
20.4
No
13
16.0
42
51.9
26
32.1
NS
Table 4 shows the association between life style factors and BMI. Among the ever
smokers, 9 (36%) noticed to be overweight and obese. On the other hand, among never
smokers 48 (23.1%) were in the overweight and obese category. There was no statistically
significant association between ever smokers and never smokers with BMI
categorization.
Of the total participants 31 (20.4%) students who performed exercise were
overweight and obese. Whereas, students who did not perform exercise 26 (32.1%) were
in overweight and obese. The association observed was not statistically significant
between physical activity and BMI.
It was observed that, of them who performed moderate level physical activities,
11 (21.2%) were underweight, 29 (55.8%) had normal BMI, and 12 (23.1%) of them were
overweight and obese. Among the participants who performed vigorous level physical
activities, 15 (15%) were underweight, 66 (66%) had normal BMI, and 19 (19%) were
overweight and obese. No statistically significant association was observed between the
level of physical activity and BMI categorization.
Of the participants who practice vegetarian diet, Underweight was 1 (10%),
Normal weight 8 (80%), and Overweight 1(10%). None of them were in obese category. Of
the total mixed diet consumers, Underweight were 32 (15.1%), Normal weight 125 (59%)
Overweight 39 (18.4%) and Obese 16 (7.5%). Most of the students with a vegetarian diet
were found to be normal weight and none obese. Students with the habit of mixed diet a
few of them were with normal weight as compared to the percentage of students who
were on vegetarian diet but a higher percentage of them were overweight, obese and
underweight as compared to those students who follow vegetarian diet. No statistically
significant association was observed between type of diet and BMI category.
DISCUSSION
Obesity is increasing across the globe due to dietary changes and lack of physical
activity. Obesity has been identified as a major risk factor of most of the noncommunicable diseases. In the present study, of the total participants, pattern of BMI
showed that normal weight were 137 (58.8%), when compared to a research done among
Lebanese university students showed that majority of the students (64.7%) were of
normal weight. The similar observation may be attributable to the fact that the students
choice of eating healthier food and intake of colored vegetables and fruits.21 In the
present study, overweight students were 41 (17.6%) and obese were 16 (6.9%) and this
observation was similar to a research conducted among students from Al-Najah National
University showed a prevalence of overweight and obesity as 20.1% and 4.6%
respectively.22 Whereas in a research conducted among medical students in the
University of Crete reported that approximately 63% female students were overweight
category.23 According to a research done on university students in Bahrain, the
prevalence of obesity among students was 19.4%.24 In a study conducted in Kuwait
University the prevalence rate of overweight and obesity was reported as 32% and 8.9%,
respectively.25 This similarity may be due to more or less similar eating habits in the
neighboring countriers.22
Among the participants, 25 (10.7%) reported history of smoking. A research
conducted among Greek university26 students showed that significantly a few of the
medical students smoked. The reason for this result is that medical students would have
better knowledge and have better health behavior than students from other disciplines.
In our study we found that 36% of ever smokers were obese, and 23.1% of never
smokers were obese. Our study showed no clear association between ever smokers and
never smokers with BMI levels. The reason behind this finding could be because of the
underreporting of smoking habit, as students feel embarrassed to admit their smoking
status. This was inversely proven in another studies, where there was significant
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association between smoking and BMI levels 27,28.
Of the total participants, any kind of physical activity was performed in the last
month by 152 (65%). In a research conducted among Italian university students, out of
734 students only 28 males (7.4%) 83 females (23.4%) did not practice any physical
activity. The similarity in the findings may be due to the increase in enthusiasm of the
students to stay physically healthy and mentally active.
Students performing moderate activity were 34 % and vigorous activity 66%. This
was comparatively higher than students in other Gulf countries such as a study
conducted in Saudi Arabia among health college students where 20.8% of students were
performing vigorous intensity activity and those performing moderate intensity activity
were 30.9%.30 Majority of the students consumed mixed diet (95.5%). Similar observation
was in a study conducted among Malaysian students where 5.3% were vegetarian31.
In the present study the association showed no statistical significance between
age and BMI. This may be due to less number of participants aged ch as a study
conducted in Saudi Arabia among health colle20 years. However, Other studies have
shown strong association between age and BMI.32,33 Studies have shown higher
prevalence of obesity in males than females34,35, which was in agreement with our study.
This could be due to the fact that females care more about their personal appearance
than males.
There was no association between the programs in which they are studying and
obesity. This could be due to different levels of stress between different programs. In our
study there was clear significance between year of study and obesity in which first year
students showed increased prevalence of obesity. It can be due to the fact that they have
entered into a new program and are more stressed.
In our study, we found no significant association between the nationality and
overweight and obesity. In contrast to that, another study showed association between
nationality and BMI where the estimated prevalence of obesity exceeded 50% in men
from Tonga and in women from Kuwait, Kiribati, Federated States of Micronesia, Libya,
Qatar, Tonga, and Samoa.36 In the current study, the association between marital status
and BMI was not statistically significant. However, a study done in Saudi Arabia showed
that married woman is more likely to be overweight and obese37.
The limitations of the study include, it was conducted among students of preclinical years of all programs and from one university and the sample size is small,
therefore it is not representative of all students in the UAE. No attempt was made to
confirm the accuracy of self-reported data on habits and physical activity.
CONCLUSION
This research was conducted among 233 pre-clinical year students to determine the
proportion of obesity among university students. It was concluded that among the
participants 17.6% were overweight and 6.9% were obese. It was observed that 26.5% of
students aged <20 years were overweight and obese. Male students reported to have
higher percentage of overweight and obesity. Students of BHS program were reported to
be overweight and obese. Students from Eastern Mediterranean region were found to be
overweight and obese. Gender and year of study showed a statistically significant
association. The association observed was not statistically significant between physical
activity, type of diet and BMI levels.
The present research provides an overview of the BMI levels among pre-clinical
students of health care professions and recommends a nation-wide research among
university students to obtain generalizable results. Research on students of health care
and Non-health care professions may be conducted to obtain a pattern of overweight and
obesity and for comparison. A prospective study on the factors associated with
overweight and obesity may be conducted to assess the obesogenic factors in the UAE.
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