Learning Objective #1: Describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a sample of college students

Learning Objective #2: Discuss sociodemographic factors related to overweight and obesity

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Overweight and obesity are international public health problems. Obesity among young adults has doubled since 1980. The greatest increase in the prevalence of obesity has been in young adults age 18-29. Objectives: To describe the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a sample of young adult college students and to determine if there is a relationship among sociodemographic factors and overweight and obesity. Design: Descripive Correlational. Sample: A convenience sample of 160 college students. Concepts: overweight, obesity, body mass index, sociodemographic factors. Methods: A socio-demongraphic questionnaire,digital bathroom scale and standard steel tape measure were used for data collection. The questionnaire included demograhic data, family history of overweight/obesity and self report height and weight. The digital scale and tape measure were used for measured height and weight. True body weight was determined using Body Mass Index. Following permission to conduct the study from IRB, subjects were recruited to participate. Data Analysis: Descriptive and inferential statistics were used. Findings: Almost half of the sample was either overweight or obese. A number of subjects were class 3 obesity. Approximately one-third had a family history of overweight or obesity. Conclusion: Unless this group of college students make changes in their lifestyle, they will probably experience an increase in overweight and obesity. Implications: Obesity is associated with many significant health problems. Increased efforts should be focused on reducing this preventable health problem.