Lifestyle and Dietary Correlates of Body Weight among Female College Students in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh

Excessive or insufficient body weight is an emerging public-health challenge among young adults. Female college students are especially vulnerable due to lifestyle transitions, irregular eating patterns, and limited awareness of healthy weight maintenance. This study assessed the prevalence of underweight and overweight among female college students and their associations with lifestyle behaviours, dietary habits, and body-weight perception. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 503 undergraduate and postgraduate students at a government degree college in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India. BMI was calculated from anthropometric measurements and classified using World Health Organization guidelines. Data on physical activity, sedentary behaviour, sleep, dietary patterns, fast-food and fruit intake, and weight perception were collected via a structured questionnaire and analysed descriptively. Over half of the participants had normal BMI (53.67%), while 41.35% were underweight and 4.97% were overweight. Underweight was associated with meal skipping, irregular breakfast, low physical activity, and prolonged sedentary time, whereas overweight students reported higher fast-food intake, shorter sleep, and minimal exercise. Misperception of body weight was common in both groups, with most participants expressing a need for professional guidance on healthy weight management. The findings highlight a dual burden of malnutrition, with underweight as a significant yet under-recognized concern. Lifestyle and dietary practices strongly influence BMI, underscoring the need for institution-based interventions such as nutrition education, dietary counselling, promotion of physical activity, and awareness of healthy weight perception to support healthier outcomes.