Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity Among Allied Health Sciences Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Background: Obesity is a growing global public health concern characterized by excessive body fat accumulation that increases the risk of several non-communicable diseases such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, and certain cancers. Sedentary lifestyle, unhealthy dietary patterns, and reduced physical activity have contributed to the rising prevalence of obesity among young adults. Assessing obesity among Allied Health Sciences students is particularly important as they represent future healthcare professionals responsible for promoting healthy lifestyle behaviors. Objective: To assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among Allied Health Sciences students of Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among Allied Health Sciences students. Out of 150 eligible students, 141 participated in the study. Data were collected using a pretested structured questionnaire along with anthropometric measurements including height, weight, and Body Mass Index (BMI). Descriptive statistics were used to determine the prevalence of underweight, overweight, and obesity, and to examine their distribution in relation to demographic characteristics, dietary habits, and physical activity. Results: Among the 141 participants, 35 (24.82%) were males and 106 (75.18%) were females. The mean age of male and female students was 20.62 and 20.45 years, respectively. The prevalence of overweight and obesity was 6.38% (n = 9) and 2.83% (n = 4), respectively, while 25.53% (n = 36) of students were underweight. The mean BMI among males was 20.74 kg/m² and among females was 20.52 kg/m². Higher prevalence of overweight and obesity was observed among students belonging to the OBC category and among those from rural areas with lower levels of physical activity. Conclusion: The findings indicate the presence of overweight and obesity among Allied Health Sciences students, highlighting emerging lifestyle-related health concerns in this population. Awareness programs and promotion of healthy dietary habits and regular physical activity are recommended to prevent obesity among healthcare students.