Impact of the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI) and food intake patterns on obesity among undergraduates in Sri Lanka

Abstract

The rates of overweight and obesity are rising to epidemic proportions among the adults worldwide leading to a substantial increase in health risks associated with weight. Similarly, overweight and obesity rates in Sri Lanka has also been on a growing trend within the recent past. Addressing the current situation, this study aims to identify the factors of obesity among the undergraduates in Sri Lanka, particularly with regard to the relationship between BMI and food intake patterns. A sample of 500 undergraduates from University of Kelaniya who currently live with their parents, in hostels and boarding houses were selected using simple random sampling. Survey was carried out in representing the students Data collection was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire. Measures of heights and weights were used to calculate BMI (weight/height2) where BMI ≥25.0-29.9 and ≥30.0 was defined as overweight and obese respectively. Eating frequency and nutritional values of food was used to calculate calorie, fat, carbohydrate and fat intake per day. Out of the sample, 20.04 percent had BMI<18.5(underweight), 42.91 percent were BMI between 18.5-24.9 (normal weight), 18.83 percent were between 25.0- 29.9 (overweight) and 18.22 percent were BMI 30.0 or above (obese). Findings of this study identified that 18.8 percent and 18.2 percent of the study sample are overweight and obese respectively. Multiple regression and the independent t test revealed that the higher level of protein intake and lack of awareness among the participants as the factors that are directly associated with the obesity. Increasing level of overweight and obesity among the youth indicates the important role of health professionals in improving awareness, encouraging positive lifestyle and promoting preventative measures of unhealthy food culture among undergraduates in Sri Lanka.