Naeem Ahmad, AlJaber Yazen, Kakaje Ameer, Ghareeb Amjad, Al Said Bayan
Faculty of Medicine, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
University Hospital Geelong, Barwon Health, Victoria, Australia.
SAGE Open Med. 2024 Aug 18;12:20503121241267224. doi: 10.1177/20503121241267224. eCollection 2024.
Obesity is a worldwide pandemic that has many contributing factors. There is very scarce data available on this issue for the population in Syria. We aim to evaluate the body mass index and related obesity rates of medical students as they are the role model for the general population. We aim to explore the breadth of potential associated factors including psychological, physical activity, dietary, and a broad array of lifestyle and socio-demographic factors.
This is a cross-sectional study that was conducted at a major university in Damascus. Paper-based questionnaires were distributed that included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire short version and the Depression, Anxiety and Stress Scale.
The mean body mass index was 23.5 (±4.2) kg/m with 540 participants enrolled in this study. Males had significantly higher body mass index than females by 2.5 kg/m ( < 0.001, χ = 47.9, = 0.3). In our sample, 304 (60.68%) had normal body mass index (18.5-24.99), 40 (7.98%) were considered underweight (body mass index ⩽ 18.5), 120 (23.95%) were considered overweight (body mass index = 25-29.99) and 37 (7.39%) were considered obese. While many factors were found to be significantly associated with body mass index and obesity, only physical activity, depression, having a first-degree family history with obesity and poor dietary habits were associated in regression analyses evaluating all predictors concurrently.
The findings reflect an ongoing epidemic of obesity. Our findings can guide targeted intervention for this young population who will become doctors and health role models in the future. More studies should be conducted to find the best possible ways to tackle this issue in the future.
肥胖是一种全球性的流行病，有许多促成因素。关于叙利亚人口在这个问题上的数据非常稀少。我们旨在评估医学生的体重指数及相关肥胖率，因为他们是普通人群的榜样。我们旨在探究潜在相关因素的广度，包括心理、身体活动、饮食以及一系列广泛的生活方式和社会人口学因素。
这是一项在大马士革一所主要大学进行的横断面研究。分发了纸质问卷，其中包括国际身体活动问卷简版以及抑郁、焦虑和压力量表。
本研究共纳入540名参与者，平均体重指数为23.5（±4.2）kg/m²。男性的体重指数显著高于女性，高出2.5 kg/m²（P<0.001，χ²=47.9，效应量=0.3）。在我们的样本中，304人（60.68%）体重指数正常（18.5 - 24.99），40人（7.98%）被认为体重过轻（体重指数≤18.5），120人（23.95%）被认为超重（体重指数=25 - 29.99），37人（7.39%）被认为肥胖。虽然发现许多因素与体重指数和肥胖显著相关，但在同时评估所有预测因素的回归分析中，只有身体活动、抑郁、有肥胖的一级家族病史和不良饮食习惯与之相关。
研究结果反映出肥胖问题仍在蔓延。我们的研究结果可为针对这一未来将成为医生和健康榜样的年轻人群的有针对性干预提供指导。未来应开展更多研究，以找到解决这一问题的最佳方法。
