Obesity Among University Students: Anthropometric Profile, Lifestyle Patterns, and Associated Factors

Abstract

Obesity among university students represents an important public health concern because the transition to higher education may coincide with substantial changes in dietary habits, physical activity, sleep, stress, and daily routines. During this period, students may experience increased autonomy, academic pressure, financial limitations, irregular schedules, and reduced parental supervision, potentially influencing behaviours associated with weight gain. This academic essay discusses obesity among university students, emphasizing anthropometric characteristics, lifestyle patterns, and factors associated with excess body weight. The discussion addresses body mass index, waist circumference, dietary behaviours, physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, alcohol consumption, mental health, academic demands, socioeconomic conditions, and the university environment. Obesity is understood as a multifactorial condition resulting from interactions between biological, behavioural, social, environmental, and economic determinants rather than as an individual failure. University institutions can therefore play an important role in prevention through healthy food environments, opportunities for physical activity, mental health support, health education, and policies that facilitate healthier choices. Understanding student profiles is essential for developing context-sensitive strategies that promote health during early adulthood and reduce the long-term burden of obesity and related chronic diseases.