Body Weight Patterns and Lifestyle Behaviors Among Male College Students in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh: A Cross-Sectional Study

Year : 2026 | Volume : 16 | 01 | Page :
    By

    Anuradha Sharma,

  • Nandini Rana,

  • Bovinder Chand,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Zoology, S.C.V.B. Government College, Palampur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
  2. Student, Department of Zoology, S.C.V.B. Government College, Palampur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India
  3. Associate Professor, Department of Zoology, S.C.V.B. Government College, Palampur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh, India

Abstract

Abnormal body weight in young adults is a major public-health concern, particularly in low- and middle-income settings where undernutrition and excess weight may coexist. The college period often involves changes in diet, physical activity, sedentary behavior, and sleep, all of which influence nutritional status and future disease risk. This study assessed the prevalence of underweight and overweight/obesity among college-aged male students in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh, India, and examined the distribution of BMI across lifestyle factors including dietary habits, physical activity, sedentary time, sleep duration, and body-weight perception. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 300 male students (17–25 years) at a government degree college, with height and weight measured to calculate BMI using WHO adult cut-offs, and lifestyle data collected via a structured online questionnaire; results were analyzed descriptively. Of the participants, 59.7% had normal BMI, 30.3% were underweight, 7.3% were overweight, and 2.7% were obese. Less favorable behaviors – such as breakfast skipping, low fruit intake, frequent fast-food consumption, lower physical activity, higher sedentary time, irregular sleep, and inaccurate weight perception – were more common at BMI extremes. The findings indicate a dual burden of malnutrition, with underweight as a prominent concern, highlighting the need for college-based strategies integrating nutrition education, physical activity promotion, sleep hygiene, and weight-status awareness.

Keywords: Body mass index, college students, lifestyle factors, nutrition, obesity, overweight, underweight

How to cite this article:
Anuradha Sharma, Nandini Rana, Bovinder Chand. Body Weight Patterns and Lifestyle Behaviors Among Male College Students in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh: A Cross-Sectional Study. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2026; 16(01):-.
How to cite this URL:
Anuradha Sharma, Nandini Rana, Bovinder Chand. Body Weight Patterns and Lifestyle Behaviors Among Male College Students in Kangra District, Himachal Pradesh: A Cross-Sectional Study. Research and Reviews : A Journal of Life Sciences. 2026; 16(01):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/rrjols/article=2026/view=238827


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Ahead of Print Subscription Original Research
Volume 16
01
Received 02/02/2026
Accepted 23/02/2026
Published 24/02/2026
Publication Time 22 Days
28

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