Objective: To assess the BMI status of medical students of first year and fourth year MBBS and find its associated factors.
Methodology: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in CMH Kharian Medical College among first year and fourth year medical students. Data were obtained using a convenience sample approach through self-structured questionnaire. BMI was assessed by calculating height and weight of participant by researcher itself. Chi square test was used to explore its association with different factors like sleep pattern, diet, lifestyle, smoking and stress.
Results: There were 100 responses in total, with 50 students from each class; 46% of first-year respondents were men and 27% were women. Our study had 28% female and 44% male fourth-year individuals. First-year students had an average age of 20, whilst fourth-year students age ranged from 20 to 24. The first-year average BMI is 22.43, whereas the fourth-year average is 21.57. A difference in BMI was seen between first- and fourth-year medical students.
Conclusion: Medical students' BMI increased as a result of a rise in the prevalence of unhealthy eating habits, insufficient sleep, anxiety, smoking, and a lack of physical activity, particularly in their first year of study.
Key words: BMI, medical students, height, weight, obesity.
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