Obesity Indices and Academic Performance of Medical Students of Igbo Extraction at College of Medicine, University of Nigeria

The study aimed at determining the prevalence of obesity amongst medical students of Igbos of Nigeria and its effect on their academic performance. One hundred and ninety-five (195) third-year medical students (122 males and 73 females) participated in the study. The students' standing height and weight were measured using stadiometer with functional weighing scale. The BMI was calculated from weight and height. The waist and hip circumferences were measured with non stretchable tape at the midway between the iliac crest and the sub-costal margin, and the widest part of the buttocks respectively. The academic performance was based on the results of their second MB, BS professional examination. Descriptive analysis was done and associations between academic performance and the variables were determined using student's t-test, Chi-square tests, and Spearman's correlation. The mean values of BMI, hip and waist circumferences of the students were 23.2±2.5, 88.1±5.8 and 74.2±5.4 in males and 24.1±4.0, 92.2±8.5 and 72.0±8.5 in females respectively. The height, weight and waist circumference were significantly higher in males than females (p< 0.001), whereas the BMI and hip circumference were higher in females. Both genders were predominantly of normal BMI, and the prevalence of obesity was 1.6% in male and 5.5% females. There was no significant correlation between the indices of obesity and academic performance of the students. In conclusion, the prevalence of overweight/obesity is low, and there was no significant association between the indices of obesity with academic performance.