Weight Management Behaviors among Students in a Public University

Abstract

Background: Obesity is the most common health concern among the public worldwide. Weight gain among students occurred during their college years, when physical activity and dietary patterns were observed to change. The Health Belief Model (HBM) depicts the role of anticipating and justifying the causes of a person's transformation or maintenance of specific health behaviors. Objective: This study determines the prevalence of obesity and the differences in weight management behaviours with gender among university students. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Universiti Teknologi MARA (UiTM) Puncak Alam Campus, Selangor, involving 377 respondents (122 males and 255 females) aged 18-26 years from February to April 2021. Health Belief Model (HBM) questionnaire on Weight Management Behaviors was used as a research tool in this study. Results: The findings showed that the majority of the respondents have a normal Body Mass Index (BMI) (n=214, 56.8%), followed by overweight (n=66, 17.5%), underweight (n=63, 16.7%) and obese (n=34, 9.0%). Independent t-test showed that female students significantly have more perceived susceptibility and cues to action than males (p<0.05). While, male students significantly have a high score in weight management behaviour for perceived benefits, perceived self-efficacy in dieting, and behavioural intention of weight management compared to female (p<0.05). Conclusion: Health interventions such as nutrition education regarding healthy food preparation and exercise schedule, including duration and types of activity, should increase female students' motivation and confidence in managing weight. Besides, an awareness campaign regarding the risk of obesity focusing on the male students must be created to generate awareness and prevention of obesity.