Prevalence and Determinants of Overweight and Obesity Among Medical Students in Mysuru: A Cross-Sectional Analytical Study

Introduction: Obesity and overweight represent a growing global epidemic driven by energy imbalances and shifting food landscapes. As future healthcare providers, the health behaviors of medical students are critical, as they directly influence their future capacity to provide effective health promotion and counselling to patients. Objectives: The study aimed to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity among undergraduate medical students at a government medical college in Mysuru and to identify independent behavioral and familial predictors using the WHO Asia-Pacific BMI criteria. Methods: A cross-sectional analytical study was conducted among 202 medical students selected through stratified random sampling. Data were collected via a validated 20-item self-administered online questionnaire covering lifestyle habits, stress eating, and anthropometric measurements. Statistical analysis, including multivariable logistic regression, was performed using SPSS version 28.0. Results: The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 33.2% (15.3% overweight and 17.8% obese). Multivariable analysis identified stress eating as the strongest independent predictor, with affected students having 3.15 times higher odds of being overweight/obese (AOR: 3.15; 95% CI: 1.68–5.89; p < 0.001). Family history was also a significant predictor (AOR: 1.98; p = 0.034). Physical activity levels and social media usage were not significantly associated with BMI status. Conclusion: One-third of medical students were affected by excess body weight, primarily influenced by psychological factors like stress eating and genetic predisposition. These findings underscore the urgent need for institutional wellness programs focused on stress management and lifestyle modification. Key words: BMI, India, Medical Students, Public Health, Obesity, Stress Eating.