Association overweight and obesity with dietary habits and some socio-demographic variables among students in Southern Technical University

Abstract

Overweight/obesity is a health problem that many young people suffer from, as a result of their unhealthy eating habits and changing their lifestyles, especially when they move to university life and makes them responsible for preparing their food meals. This study aims to find out the relationship between the dietary habits of university students and body mass index. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 384 randomly selected students (simple random sample) from Southern Technical University (College of Health and Medical Technology, Administrative Technical College, Technical College of Engineering, and Basrah Technical Institute). Data collection lasted for .6 months that started on November   2021 and ended on April 2022. Data were collected by direct interview with students by the researcher, using a detailed self-report questionnaire form .Use the height and weight scale to determine the body mass index .Regarding of food habits, use a questionnaire containing items related to the food habits and lifestyle that followed by the student. The results of our study showed that the lifestyle and dietary habits of Southern Technical University students, in addition to some demographic variables, had a significant effect on body mass index.