Overweight and Obesity Conditions: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Nursing Students in a Public University in Medellín, Colombia

• Published in: Investigación y Educación en Enfermería 2017-05, Vol.35 (2), p.191-198
• Main Authors: Gaviria, Hugo Alberto Munera, Blandon, Diego Alejandro Salazar, Durango, Maria del Pilar Pastor, Yepes, Teresita Alzate
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Colleges & universities; cross; Cross-sectional studies; estudantes de enfermagem; estudiantes de enfermería; estudios transversales; estudos transversais; factores de riesgo; fatores de risco; Nursing; obesidad; obesidade; Obesity; Overweight; Risk factors; sectional studies; sobrepeso; students
• ISSN: 0120-5307; 2216-0280; 2216-0280
• DOI: 10.17533/udea.iee.v35n2a08

Objective. This work sought to identify the prevalence of overweight and obesity conditions and the associated factors in nursing students in a public university in Medellin, Colombia. Methodology. This was a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted in 2015. The study selected 171 participants through stratified random sampling. A structured questionnaire was applied and weight and height were taken to calculate the body mass index (BMI). Results. The prevalence of overweight condition was 25.1% and obesity at 7.6%. Statistically significant association exists with family background of overweight or obesity conditions (OR = 6.65) and the perception of unhealthy feeding (OR = 3.01). No association was found with cases suggesting anxiety and depression and physical activity. Conclusion. A high prevalence was found of overweight and obesity conditions in the population studied, which is why it is recommended to develop self-care programs in university populations, principally in Nursing, given that as future professionals they will be co-responsible for health promotion in individuals and collectives. Descriptors: cross-sectional studies; obesity; overweight; risk factors; students, nursing. Objetivo. Identificar prevalencia de sobrepeso y de obesidad y los factores asociados en estudiantes de Enfermeria en una universidad publica de Medellin, Colombia. Metodologia. Estudio descriptivo transversal realizado en 2015. Se seleccionaron 171 participantes por muestreo aleatorio estratificado. Se aplico un cuestionario estructurado y se tomo peso y talla para calcular Indice de Masa Corporal (IMC). Resultados. La prevalencia de sobrepeso fue de 25.1% y de obesidad 7.6%. Existe asociacion estadisticamente significativa con antecedentes familiares de sobrepeso u obesidad (OR=6.65) y la percepcion de alimentacion no saludable (OR=3.01). No se encontro asociacion con casos sugestivos de ansiedad y depresion y actividad fisica. Conclusion. Se encuentra una alta prevalencia de sobrepeso y obesidad en la poblacion estudiada por lo que se recomienda desarrollar programas de autocuidado en poblacion universitaria, principalmente en Enfermeria, pues como futuros profesionales seran corresponsables de la promocion de la salud en individuos y colectivos. Descriptores: estudios transversales; obesidad; sobrepeso; factores de riesgo; estudiantes de enfermeria. Objetivo. Identificar prevalencia de sobrepeso e de obesidade e os fatores associados em estudantes de Enfermagem num