AWARENESS OF RISK FACTORS AND PREVENTIVE PRACTICES OF OBESITY AMONG UNDERGRADUATES AT BABCOCK UNIVERSITY, ILISHAN-REMO

Background: Non-communicable diseases have surpassed communicable diseases as the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria, and among these non-communicable diseases is obesity. Obesity does not only impair the physical and mental health of people but also impairs economic wealth of most communities hence, posing a threat to the world’s stability at large. Aim: The main objective of this study was to assess the level of knowledge of the risk factors and practice of prevention of obesity, among undergraduate students of Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. Method: This was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling method was used to pick 152 participants in Babcock University, Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State, Nigeria. A 30-item, semi structured questionnaire was used to collect data and the data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Service Solution (SPSS) version 21. Result: Majority of the respondents 61.8% were, ages 21-25, most the respondents were females (70.4%.). 61.2% respondents strongly agreed that choices of food can affect obesity. 48.7% respondents exercised regularly while, 61.2% of the respondents in this study take soda or soft drinks less than 3 times a week. This study found that the respondents, have good knowledge (74.3%) of the risk factors of obesity. Furthermore, the study found that, the respondents’ practices of the prevention of obesity is moderately good as it was discovered, that 50.7% practice good health habits. Conclusion: The knowledge of the participants regarding risk factors of obesity was found to be generally good. The respondents’ practices of the risk factors of obesity was found to be, generally low.