Association of Dietary Habits and Life Style on Body Mass Index among the Students of TMSS Medical College, Bangladesh

Background: Body Mass Index (BMI) is a commonly used indicator to assess nutritional status. Medical students often develop lifestyle and dietary habits during their study years, which can significantly stimulus their future health and professional responsibilities. This study aimed to assess the categories of BMI as well as to correlate the dietary habits and lifestyle with the categories of BMI of students of TMSS Medical College. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 330 Bangladeshi and international students from Ist to Sth year at TMSS Medical College, Bogra from January 2023 to June 2024. Data were collected through anthropometric measurements (height, weight, BMI calculation) and structured questionnaires covering socio-demographic data, dietary habits, and psychosocial factors. BMI was categorized as underweight, normal, overweight, and obese. Chi-square tests were used to assess the association between BMI categories and dietary lifestyle fuctors. Results: Among participants, 59.10% had normal BMI, 10.64% were underweight, 23.32% overweight, and 7.00% obese. BMI distribution varied significantly by academic year, age, known disorders, and menstrual history (P < 0.05). No significant association was found between BMI and most dietary habits including skipping meals, fruit/vegetable intake, and milk consumption. However, a significant association was found between fast food consumption and BMI (P = 0.002). Conclusion: While most students had normal BMI, a concerning proportion were overweight or obese. Fast food consumption showed a significant correlation with BMI. This highlights the need for dietary awareness, regular BMI screening, and health education programs among medical students to promote healthier lifestyles and reduce long-term health risks.