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Salah H Elsafi,1 Reem H Al-Dossari,1 Ruaa A Al-shaqi,1 Wateen E Fakirah,1 Rawan F Al-Dossari,1 Omniyyah J Al-sharif,1 Rawan M Maawadh,1 Lenah D Al Musallam,1 Abeer Alaohali,2 Abdulelah M Abu Hassan,3 Othman A Alfahad,4 Yaser A Al Naam,1 Eidan M Al Zahrani5 1Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 2Dental and Oral Health Department, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 3Faculty of Medicine, University of Almaarefa, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia; 4Department of Biomedical Technology, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran, Saudi Arabia; 5College Deanship, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, Dhahran, Saudi ArabiaCorrespondence: Salah H Elsafi, Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Prince Sultan Military College of Health Sciences, P.O. Box 33048, Dhahran, 31932, Saudi Arabia, Tel +966138405448, Email salahelsafi@hotmail.comObjective: The objectives of this study are to identify the prevalence and the factors behind overweight and obesity among the healthcare profession’s students.Methods: A well-structured and validated questionnaire was distributed to a heterogeneous purposive sample of the healthcare profession’s students in Saudi Arabia.Results: About 21.0% and 15.5% were overweight and obese, respectively. The average knowledge score was 70.6% and increased with age and among obese participants. The average attitude score was 74.8% with no variation within age, body mass index (BMI), and gender. The average practice score was only 36.7%. There was a significant variation of the practice within the different age groups (P = 0.021). There was a significant association between the participant’s knowledge and attitude, and practice.Conclusion: The average practice score was poor. Despite their good knowledge and positive attitude, the students are exposed to heavy junk food marketing, which encourages overconsumption by instilling positive emotional associations with the junk food. They are mostly physically inactive, anxious and sleep deprived, which can lead to poor eating habits. For this group, various strategies and motivators will likely be needed.Keywords: obesity prevention, awareness, practice, healthcare students, Saudi Arabia |
