BioMedica |

Original Article

Volume: 40 | Issue: 2 | Published: Jun 25, 2024 | Pages: 107 - 111 | DOI: 10.24911/BioMedica/5-1160

Changes in dietary habits of medical and dental students and its impact on their quality of life and body mass index

Authors: Maheen Fatima , Hafiz Muhammad Ali , Muhammad Mohsin Kamal , Maha Tanvir , Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon , Shafia Hassan

Article Info

Authors

Maheen Fatima

FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry

Hafiz Muhammad Ali

FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry

Muhammad Mohsin Kamal

FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry

Maha Tanvir

FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry

Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon

FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry

Shafia Hassan

FMH College of Medicine and Dentistry

Publication History

Received: April 03, 2024

Revised: May 18, 2024

Accepted: June 10, 2024

Published: June 25, 2024

Abstract

Background and Objective: Dietary habits are one of the most important factors that play a significant role in maintaining optimal health and body mass index (BMI). The objective of this study was to investigate and determine how changes in dietary pattern of medical and dental students can impact their BMI and quality of life.

Method: This cross-sectional study included 190 medical and dental students from a local private medical and dental college in Lahore, Pakistan. All participants filled out a validated online questionnaire having 30 questions divided into four sections. The responses were scaled in three tiers and the data was collected and analysed using statistical software.

Results: A total of 32.6% of students rated their quality of life as good with respect to dietary habits while 81.6% rated physical environment as moderately healthy with very many difficulties in concentrating (19.5%) and poor physical energy levels (31.1%). A notable percentage (12.6) reported not to have enough financial stability to meet their dietary needs. Satisfaction levels regarding their own health status varied with mixed responses. Negative feelings were frequent (70.5%), and a majority noted changes in eating habits and observed an increase in weight relating to BMI.

Conclusion: Most of the medical and dental students after enrolling into their respective colleges face adverse changes in dietary habits. Taking educational stress and managing one’s daily activities show a limited balance with resultantly lower quality of life and a higher BMI.

Keywords: Body mass Index, diet, dietary habits, eating patterns, nutrition, quality of life, medical, dental students.

Pubmed Style

Maheen Fatima, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Mohsin Kamal, Maha Tanvir, Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon, Shafia Hassan. Changes in dietary habits of medical and dental students and its impact on their quality of life and body mass index. BioMedica. 2024; 25 (June 2024): 107-111. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1160

Web Style

Maheen Fatima, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Mohsin Kamal, Maha Tanvir, Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon, Shafia Hassan. Changes in dietary habits of medical and dental students and its impact on their quality of life and body mass index. https://biomedicapk.com/articles/online_first/1160 [Access: September 13, 2024]. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1160

AMA (American Medical Association) Style

Vancouver/ICMJE Style

Maheen Fatima, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Mohsin Kamal, Maha Tanvir, Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon, Shafia Hassan. Changes in dietary habits of medical and dental students and its impact on their quality of life and body mass index. BioMedica. (2024), [cited September 13, 2024]; 25 (June 2024): 107-111. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1160

Harvard Style

Maheen Fatima, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Mohsin Kamal, Maha Tanvir, Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon, Shafia Hassan (2024) Changes in dietary habits of medical and dental students and its impact on their quality of life and body mass index. BioMedica, 25 (June 2024): 107-111. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1160

Chicago Style

Maheen Fatima, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Mohsin Kamal, Maha Tanvir, Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon, Shafia Hassan. "Changes in dietary habits of medical and dental students and its impact on their quality of life and body mass index." 25 (2024), 107-111. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1160

MLA (The Modern Language Association) Style

APA (American Psychological Association) Style

Maheen Fatima, Hafiz Muhammad Ali, Muhammad Mohsin Kamal, Maha Tanvir, Muhammad Imran Khan Jadoon, Shafia Hassan (2024) Changes in dietary habits of medical and dental students and its impact on their quality of life and body mass index. , 25 (June 2024), 107-111. doi:10.24911/BioMedica/5-1160