Prevalence and Factors Influencing Obesity Among Medical Students, Salem District, Tamilnadu

Background: Obesity is a significant worldwide health issue, associated with higher rates of morbidity and chronic illnesses. Medical students are particularly vulnerable because of their long-term sedentary habits, irregular lifestyles, and academic stress. For focused interventions, it is essential to understand the factors that contribute to obesity in this population. Objectives: To determine the prevalence of obesity among medical students and identify associated biological, behavioral, and lifestyle-related risk factors. Methodology: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 medical students. Data on BMI, demographics, diet, sleep habits, screen time, physical activity, and family history were collected via Semi structured questionnaires. Statistical analysis included chi-square tests and multivariate logistic regression to identify significant predictors of obesity. Results: A total of 44.5% of participants were overweight or obese. Obesity was significantly correlated with family history (p < 0.001) and much more common in females (p = 0.004). Lower frequency of physical activity showed a significant correlation with obesity (p = 0.002), while exercise duration and perceived barriers were not significant. . There were no apparent correlations between dietary factors, such as the use of processed foods and caloric drinks. Obesity was significantly correlated with screen time exceeding four hours per day (p = 0.001). Screen usage, family history, and sex were found to be independent predictors by multivariate analysis. Conclusion: Obesity among medical students is influenced by biological and lifestyle factors, particularly hereditary predisposition, inactivity, and high screen exposure. Despite high awareness of associated risks, behavioral change remains limited. Interventions promoting reduced screen time and increased structured physical activity may be effective in mitigating obesity risk in this population.