The impact of a rapid economic growth on the patterns and trends of overweight and
obesity is profound. Obesity is closely linked to lifestyle choices and the risk
behaviours that lead to obesity-related morbidities in young adults can be traced to the
acceptable norms from childhood through to adulthood. The aims of this study were to
estimate the prevalence of overweight and obesity using the World Health
Organization classification and to investigate the influence of perceptions/beliefs and
health-risk behaviours and their association with overweight and obesity among
female university students of the United Arab Emirates University. A cross-sectional
survey of the lifestyle choices, risk behaviours and perceptions of obesity with the
Body Mass Index (BMI) status of 321 young adult women aged 18-30 years was
conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. The female students responded to
questions about their diet and physical activity patterns. They reported their
height/weight, and weight-related measurements were taken to calculate the BMI.
Overall, 20.2% of the students were overweight while 8.40% were obese. The
likelihood of being overweight or obese was higher among students who were older,
married and had a family history of obesity. Faculty of study (p=0.018) was
significantly associated with prevalence of overweight and obesity. Many of the
students did not consume fruits and vegetables or eat breakfast daily. Students who
spent long hours on sedentary activities were more likely to be obese, with lack of
time reported as a major reason for physical inactivity. Respondents wanted to lose
weight most commonly for better health and well-being and because of problems with
clothes sizes. In view of the high number of health risk behaviours and prevalence of
overweight and obesity, prompt action is needed to initiate and sustain interventions
and preventive measures that could change the health-compromising behaviours
associated with excess weight.