Abstract:
The study was designed to assess the body mass index (BMI) and body composition in order to predict the prevalence of under weight and obesity among the students in Faculty of Agriculture and Veterinary Medicine of Imo State University, Owerri, Imo state. A cross sectional study was conducted on the students and a stratified method of sampling was used in the sample selection. A structured pre-tested questionnaire was used to obtain information on the socio economic data and dietary pattern of the students while their weight (kg) and height were measured using standard methods. Body mass index was calculated from the weight and height measurements. Waist and hip circumference were measured to obtain the value waist –hip ratio of the students. Skin fold thickness was measured in (mm) at four sites to determine the % total body fat of the students. A total of three hundred students voluntarily participated in this study made up of one hundred and twenty (120) males, and one hundred eighty (180) females. The age range was 18-31 years. About 4.6% had BMI <16kg/m² (severely underweight) while 33.3% had BMI range of 18.5-25 kg/m² (normal) and approximately 21% had BMI range of 25-29.9 kg/m² (overweight). About 10.6% had BMI range of 30-34.9kg/m² (mildly obese) while 6.6% had BMI range of 35-39.9kg/m² (moderately obese while 2% had BMI >40kg/m² (morbid obesity). The results showed that 29.6% were underweight (13.6% females, 12.6% males), 20.6% were overweight (6% males, 14.6% females) and 17.2% were obese (3.6% males, 13.6% females). The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among the females than males (P<0.05).
