Gender differences in body mass index, body weight perception, weight satisfaction, disordered eating and Weight control strategies among Indian Medical and Nursing Undergraduates

Abstract

Objective. To assess gender disparity in body weight perception, Body Mass Index (BMI), weight satisfaction and role of depression among undergraduate Medical and Nursing students. Methods. A descriptive cross sectional descriptive study was conducted in conveniently selected medical (n=241) and nursing (n=213) students of Bangalore, South India. Data was collected using self-administered SCOFF questionnaires. Results. Our findings revealed that men had a significantly higher BMI than women (t=5.403, p < 0.001). More number of women compared to men, perceived themselves as over weight (74.8%) and not satisfied with their weight status (81.6%). More men than women scored positively for disordered eating behaviors on SCOFF (45.4% vs. 31.1%) and EAT scale (16.5% vs. 8.7%). While, 48.2% of the women practice binge eating, 41.2% of the men practice it (p < 0.004); more men (47.4%) than women (25.4%) exercised for more than sixty minutes (p < 0.001) to control their weight. Conclusion. Findings indicate small differences between the genders that have to be taken in consideration in planning interventional programs to prevent eating disorders in this population.