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Assessment of overweight status, obesity and abdominal obesity among nursing students in Islamic Azad University of Lahijan
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M Rahimibashar *   , M Motahari |
| , rahimibashar.masoome@yahoo.com |
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Abstract: (23212 Views) |
| Introduction: Obesity can be considered as the new world syndrome and its prevalence is increasing in all age, gender, race and economic groups. Hence, nowadays, it is referred as silent epidemic. Determining the status of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity among nursing students in Islamic Azad University of Lahijan in 2009.
Method: This descriptive-analytic study was done on 370 girl students of nursing employed to study in Islamic Azad University of Lahijan. Sampling method was through all satisfied individuals who participated in research. Data collection tool was a researcher-made questionnaire consisting of questions on demographic data, obesity records, eating habits, physical activity and the standard measurement of anthropometric indices (weight, height, waist circumference (WC), hip circumference (HC)). In this study, the Body Mass Index (BMI) was considered for determining overweight and obesity, while waist circumference (WC) and waist hip ratio (WHR) was regarded for investigating abdominal obesity.
Results: The findings of this study indicated that the majority of nursing university students were in a normal weight range (61.1%) with (78.6%) and (85.9%) of them being in normal WC and WHR ranges, respectively. In terms of eating habits most of the students were in an average condition (70.5%). Considering physical activity, (47%) had an average condition, (45.1%) were in a bad condition and only (7.8%) of them were in a good condition. No significant statistical relationship was observed between BMI, WC and WHR with demographic data of the samples, eating habits and physical activity (P<0.0001).
Conclusion: Although, the majority of girl university students in this study were in good condition of overweight, obesity and abdominal obesity, small percentage of them did physical activity. So, regarding the undeniable role of physical activities in human physical and mental health promotion in all age groups, the youth lifestyle modification is essential academic centers can be an important health related. |
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| Keywords: Overweight, obesity, abdominal obesity, nursing students |
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Type of Study: Psychiatric and Mental Health Nursing |
Subject:
nursing
Received: 2013/11/25 | Published: 2013/12/15
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