Perception of Body Weight Gain among First-Year Kuwait University Students

Abstract

This work was carried out to study the perception of 440 female and male first-year Kuwait
University students on body weight gain. Students attended 11 colleges of the University, 6 of
theoretical-type and 5 science-type colleges. Each college was represented by 40 students of
both genders. Freshmen were chosen for this study to reduce the influence of their subsequent
studying at different colleges to a minimum. A simple questionnaire that contained a section
on demographics and 5 subsections, with 2 statements for each, was utilized in collecting responses
from willing students. Correct responses were agreed upon by a panel of nutritionists
and trained interviewers administered the questionnaire on a face-to-face basis. Obtained
results were recorded and were statistically analyzed, with a set level of p<0.05 for statistical
significance. Results showed varied percentages in the numbers of correct answers for 2-4 subsection
(14-21%) and that only 5% of students answered all correctly. Demographic factors that
significantly influenced responses were: college type on subsection 4(p<0.001), governorate
of residence on subsection 3(p<0.01), and number of siblings on subsection 2(p<0.05). Other
demographic factors: age, gender nationality father education, mother education and monthly
income did not influence responses. With concerns being raised in the literature about the nutrition
and lifestyle of university students and, consequently their effect on body weight change, it
is recommended that a short course on basics of healthy nutrition and lifestyle should be offered
to freshmen across all study disciplines taught in universities. Educational interventions could
prove valuable for their stage of study and for the rest of their lives.