Overweight and obesity status of students of National University of Civil Engineering and some associated factors

Abstract

*Background: Overweight and obesity in students are increasing and becoming one of the challenges. This study was conducted to identify the status of overweight and obesity of students of the National University of Civil Engineering and some factors related. *Methodology: A cross-section study was carried out among 515 third-year students of the National University of Civil Engineering in the learning year 2018-2019 by self-reported questionnaires. *Results: The study results showed that the proportion of underweight students was 16.1%, overweight and obese was 17.9%, of which 10.9% were overweight; obesity 7.0%. The figures for overweight and obesity in men were 27.1% higher than women (7.7%). Some factors related to overweight and obesity including gender (OR = 4.47, 95% CI: 2.24-8.95); have a habit of consuming processed foods (OR = 1.65 (95% CI: 1.01-2.78); have a overweight and obese person in the family (OR = 3.63 (95% CI: 1.70-7.76); not regularly playing sport / gym (OR = 2.19 (95% CI: 1.29-3.80). *Conclusions: Civil Engineering University students need to pay more attention to risk factors related to gender, preference for processed food, and physical inactivity to adjust their habits properly to reduce the risk of overweight and obesity.