Author(s): Bindu Bharathi*, Wesam Minwir M Alenezi, Wajd Nawaf M Alruwaili, Rayyanah Fayez Y Alanazi and Amjad Ayed S Alruwaili
ABSTRACT
Background of the Study: Over the past decades, Saudi Arabia has become more and more westernized and is now one of the highest peaks in the prevalence of obesity and overweight.
Aim: The Aim of the Study was to assess the prevalence of obesity among female Bachelor Nursing Science students at Northern Border University (NBU).
Materials and Methods: A descriptive survey design with proportionate stratified random sampling techniques was used in this study. The College of Nursing, Female Section, NBU, was the setting of this study. Bachelor Saudi Nursing Science Students of the College of Nursing (Female Section) at NBU were the sample, with a sample size of 220. Ethical approval was obtained from NBU, and written consent was obtained from all participants in this study. A structured questionnaire was the research tool used for data collection.
Results: 63.2% of the subjects had a normal body mass index (BMI), but the prevalence rate of overweight is 17.3%, and obesity I and II contribute to 14.8%. The majority (88.5%) of the participants had a family history of obesity. 27.3% of the subjects were not doing any physical activity, whereas 74% of them were always taking fast food. 87.4% of the participants were always watching TV or using a smart phone. 91% of the participants were between 18 to 23 years old.
Recommendations: To prevent obesity through healthy eating behaviors, regular physical activity, reduce television and screen time, and other “Sit time, reduce stress and improve sleep.
Conclusions: Help our young generations to develop good health habits like regular physical exercise, healthy lifestyle and healthy eating behaviours’ for maintaining normal BMI and in order to overcome the global crisis of obesity
Obesity is an abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to the health. The main cause of weight gain and obesity is the imbalance between the amount of calories you take in and the calories you burn. A body mass index (BMI) over 25 is considered as obesity and overweight (WHO, 2022).
In the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA), obesity (as Body Mass Index (BMI) of≥30 kg/m 2 ) and overweight (BMI of 25-29.9 kg/ m 2 ) represent an alarming threat for population health based on their high prevalence.
Global statistics of obesity by sex, 38% of men and 40% of women were overweight, whereas 11% of males and 15% females were obese. According to the World Health Organization’s (WHO; 2023) report, the prevalence rate of overweight is 33.7% (women 39.5% and men 29.5%) and obesity 68.2% (women 69.2% and men 67.5%), respectively in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA).
Obesity is considered one of the biggest health problems facing the world today as it puts us at the risk for many chronic diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, and blood pressure. Recent studies show that this is one of the most important causes of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. This can lead to cirrhosis and liver cancer.
Over the past decades, Saudi Arabia is becoming more and more westernized and is now one of the highest peaks of the prevalence of obesity and overweight. Obesity is the top cause of concern; with 7 out of 10 have the problem of obesity.
Prevalence of obesity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA) shows an increasing trend towards obesity and overweight is the main cause of many other diseases, including arterialhypertension, diabetes mellitus, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, hyperlipidemia, and osteoarthritis.
High prevalence rates for obesity and overweight are seen in Saudi Arabia due to the increasing westernization over the last few decades, leading to unhealthy eating, sedentary lifestyles, and weight gain.
So the researchers select this problem to assess the prevalence of obesity among female bachelor nursing science students, in order to detect and prevent obesity related issues and to create healthy young generation.
A Descriptive Study to Assess the Prevalence of Obesity among Female Bachelor Nursing Science Students of Northern Border University (NBU).
Through this study the researchers were assessed the prevalence of obesity by assessing following factors like family history, Body Mass Index, food pattern, habits, exercise, hobbies.
This study was conducted at College of Nursing (Female Section), Northern Border University, Arar, Saudi Arabia.
Aim of the study was to assess the Prevalence of Obesity among Female Bachelor Nursing Science Students of Northern Border University.
Bachelor Nursing Science students
The researchers were use G*Power to estimate the sample size for this study because it will be implemented only in one course which contains 4 groups (First Year: 94, Second Year: 71, Third Year: 52 and Final Year: 52). The targeted sample size was 270, (which will be the total nursing students of female section).
After getting the IRB approval, the researchers explained the procedure to the students in the classroom. The researchers were asked the students about their willingness to participate in the study. Assuring them being part of this study will not impact their grades or performance evaluation in the classroom. So, participating in this study will be voluntary and will maintain anonymity and confidentiality of the subjects.
The researchers divide the population into subgroups called strata based on the characteristics of which year the students are studying (First Year, Second Year, Third Year and Fourth Year). From each stratum the researchers were collected the data.
Bachelor Saudi Nursing Science Students of College of Nursing, (Female Section) Northern Border University.
This study was conducted at College of Nursing, Female section, NBU, Saudi Arabia.
College of Nursing, Female section, N BU, Saudi Arabia.
After Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval, the researchers were collected the students’ university emails addresses of all nursing students. Consent form was send to the student’s email. Overview of the study with aim and objectives were send to student’s email. Written consent was taken from the participants of the study. Structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from the subjects. Researchers were assessed the prevalence of obesity by assessing following aspects like the family history, Body Mass Index, food pattern, habits, exercise, hobbies etc. Assessment and observation were the techniques used by the researcher for data collection process. The researchers were use specific methods like observational method, and survey method.
Study period was for the duration of 2 months of the second semester for the academic year of 2022-2023 or 1443-1444 H.
Not applicable for this study
After review of literature and discussion with the expert in the
field of nursing the researchers developed the tool. External &
internal validity of the research tool will be done by experts of
nursing profession. Alpha Cronbach test was used to assess for
reliability of the research tool.
• Section I: Socio-demographic variables of the Bachelor
Nursing Science Students of NBU
• Section II: Factors related to Prevalence of obesity
•Section II: Assessment of Prevalence of obesity
Techniques: Observation, and assessment of BMI
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval was obtained from NBU, to conduct the research study. The participants will be asked to complete the questionnaire if they willing to participate in the study. The researchers’ contact information will be available to all the participants to ask any questions or concerns. The researchers explained to the participants that being involved in the study would not affect their score or their performance evaluations in the class. The participants were assured that participation in the study did not include any physical risks. To ensure the participants’ rights and to protect their privacy, the data which will be collected from the participants were kept confidentially.
The data were analyzed by using a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) of version 23. Descriptive and inferential statistical test were be done for analysis. Frequency and percentage distribution were also assessed.
Table 1 depicts that 66.7% of the subjects were between the age group of 18-20 Years, whereas 83.6% of the participants were single. About 31.8% of the participants were first year students.
Table 2 shows that 88.9% of the participants were have the family history of obesity, whereas 36% of the subjects were have family history of Diabetes and 48% have Hypertension. 27.3% of the participants were not doing any physical exercise and 36% of the participants were doing moderate form of exercise.
Figure 1 depicts that, majority (69.5%) and (78%) of the participants were having the habit of taking normal intake of food and water respectively.
Figure 2 shows that, majority (74%) of the participants were always taking fast food, whereas majority (87.4%) of them are always watching TV or using different types of electronic gadgets.
Figure 3 demonstrated that 63.2% of the subjects were having normal BMI, but the prevalence rate of over weight is 17.3%, and obesity i and ii seen in 14.8% of the subjects. most alarming finding is that 1.8% of the subjects were have the problem of morbid obesity (BMI >40 Kg/m 2 ).
About 66.7% of the subjects were between the age group of 18- 20 years, whereas 83.6% of the participants were single. About 31.8% of the participants were first year students.
Most (88.9%) of the participants were have the family history of obesity, whereas 36% of the subjects were have the family history of Diabetes and 48% have Hypertension. 27.3% of the participants were not doing any physical exercise and 36% of the participants were doing moderate form of exercise. Majority (69.5%) and (78%) of the participants were having the habit of taking normal intake of food and water respectively. Most (74%) of the participants were always taking fast food, whereas majority (87.4%) of them are always watching TV or using different types of electronic gadgets.
About 63.2% of the subjects were having Normal BMI, but the prevalence rate of over weight is 17.3%, and obesity I and II seen in 14.8% of the subjects. Most alarming finding is that 1.8% of the subjects were have the problem of morbid obesity (BMI >40 Kg/m 2 ) [1-5].
Present study results depicts that 63.2% of the subjects were having Normal BMI, but the prevalence rate of over weight was 17.3% and obesity I & II contribute to 14.8%. Most alarming finding is that 1.8% of the subjects were have the problem of morbid obesity (BMI >40 Kg/m2). About 91% of the participants were between the age group of 18-23 years. More than 88% of the participants were have the family history of obesity. All participants were females. It was supported with the study findings of Ali S. Moalif, Wafaa H. Ajam and Farah Safaa (2021), state that the age range of all of the sampled students was 18-35 years. The prevalence rate of overweight and obesity categories in the student population were 33.34% and 10.67% respectively. Obesity rate is higher in females. 50% of the student’s families are having family history of obesity. It was also consistent with the report of World Health Organization (2023), the prevalence of overweight and obesity is 33.7% (women 39.5% and males 29.5%) and 68.2% (women 69.2% and men 67.5%), respectively, in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (Obesity in Gulf countries). A recent comprehensive survey that gathered information from every region of KSA found a prevalence of obesity of 24.7%.
Following are the main recommendation for preventing obesity
Knowledge on obesity can help the participants to control weight and overcome the consequences of obesity. Set realistic short term and long-term goals for reducing weight. Make small changes to your daily diet rather than trying to make changes you can’t stick to for long. Making a change in your lifestyle must change the activities and the way you eat, and you must avoid the food which may contribute to weight gain. Constantly follow the weight and exercise to lose weight. Stay away from fast food and follow a balanced diet. Stay away from drinks that contain sugars. Work on conducting sports activities. This study influenced the clarification of the effects of obesity and work on educating students in the College of Nursing about the need to be careful in eating food and drinks that cause obesity, in addition to enriching the research on the reality of university life, which has a great impact on the quality of food and how to follow the instructions that contribute in reducing the effects of obesity and its repercussions. Help our young generations to develop good health habits like regular physical exercise, healthy lifestyle and healthy eating behaviours for maintaining normal BMI and in order to overcome the global crisis of obesity.
