BODY MASS INDEX IN MEDICINE STUDENTS: RELATIONSHIP WITH STRESS, EATING HABITS AND PHYSICAL ACTIVITY

Abstract

Introduction: The changes in styles life predisposes university students to face constant stressful situations and to modify their eating habits and physical activity, with possible alterations in the body mass index. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between the body mass index and stress, physical activity, and eating habits in medical students. Methods: Cross-sectional descriptive observational study. Sample made up of 306 medical students from FIrst to the sixth year: 153 with normal weight, 121 with overweight and 32 with obesity, average age 22 years. The body mass index was considered and the questionnaires were applied: Scale of Global Perception of Stress for University Students (Adapted in Peruvian university students), International Questionnaire of Physical Activity, and the modiFIed Food Frequency Questionnaire of Reyes, using Google software Forms. Results: The proportion of normal weight was 50%, overweight 39.5%, and obese 10.5%. According to eating habits, people with body mass index increased had signiFIcantly higher consumption of soft drinks (p = 0.030), meat (p = 0.017) and alcohol (p = 0.005), more frequent breakfast (p = 0.037) and lower consumption of legumes (p = 0.049). The levels of distress were lower in the obese (p = 0.055); there was no signiFIcant difference in physical activity. Conclusions: The elevation of the body mass index in medical students was associated with inappropriate eating habits. Low levels of distress and physical activity were more frequent in obese patients, although without signiFIcant difference.