Gender Difference in Underweight, Overweight and Obesity among First-Year Students of Suranaree University of Technology in 2015

Abstract

Background: Overweight and obesity are significant health problems in Thailand. Lifestyle habits of Thai society and food consumption have changed and are leading to the development of cardiovascular conditions.

Objective: To identify the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity among first year university students and to explore the difference between males and females.

Material and method: A cross sectional study was conducted among first year students of Suranaree University of Technology (SUT) for routine health check-up on May, 2015. All participants’ weight and height were measured by trained health personnel. The body mass index (BMI) was calculated and classified as underweight (less than 18.50 kg/m(2)), overweight (23.00 to less than 25.00 kg/m(2)), and obesity class I and II (25.00 to less than 30.00 and more than or equal to 30.00 kg/m(2)) based on the Regional Office for the Western Pacific (WPRO) criteria for adult Asian populations. Z-test was applied for proportion differences between males and females and odds ratio was computed to estimate a magnitude of association.

Results: Three thousand two hundred seventy nine students were recruited (males 43.40%, females 56.60%). The mean age was 18.22 years. (SD = 0.49). Prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity class I and II were 20.68%, 11.07%, 11.10%, and 6.50% respectively. The proportion of underweight in females (23.98%) was higher than males (16.37%) with statistical significance (p<0.001). Conversely, the overweight and obesity class I in males (13.56% and 12.65%) were higher than females (9.16% and 9.91%) with statistical significance (p<0.001 and p = 0.013 respectively). After adjusting for age, males were 1.48 times of getting overweight (adjusted OR = 1.48, 95% CI = 1.18-1.86) and 1.28 times of getting obesity class I (adjusted OR = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.02-1.61) when comparing with females.

Conclusion: In conclusion, the overweight and obesity class I is a problem in young male adults. A high prevalence of underweight in females was also clearly observed. Therefore, health promotion programs should be specifically geared for university students on this campus with consideration given to targeting gender differences.