Journal of continuing Education and Extension, 2015; 6 (2) :1036-1052
The prevalence of overweight and obesity is rising at CM alarming rate in both
developing and developed countries. cross-sectional survey WaS done to assess
gender differences 11. 7 the p]-C1'01C11CC and perception ()level -weight and OhCSifl 0171011g
students of higher burning 111.S1I111110115. 171C 5I11011' also explored the gender differences
ill ChC(irT clill'ClisifiCaLl017 among the studied students. Alfumbe University was
randomly selected from among five other in Alorogoro and a total of 222
students were randomly selected. freight, height, hip and 11'411..S1 C'ill'111771(21"(217CC Were
measured using standard procedure. Obe.yity was defined according to If710 standard
categories. Data on socio-demographic and sell-perception of body image were
obtained using a structured (I lICS1101711ailV. 1.171.01717(111017 0/1 (11101(11.1' Chl'elS171' was
obtained using FANT.-1,1-1,10 Data was analysed using the Statistical
Package and Service Solutions (SPSS Inc.) computer software version 2(1 whore
inferential and descriptive statistic's was pre.s.Cnlod. The mean age of respondents was
25 (SD 4.4) years. Based 0/1 1170 h4o ar' mass index (BAW), 37.04) of the Je' males were
of or obese compared 10 23`1',JOr males. 117 contrast, 4% of the Jemales were
underweight compared to 6. /or nudes. Regarding waist circumference and the
waist-hip ratio. more females had increased risk of developing cardiovascular
diseases. Among overweight or (these 'utiles, identified themselves as having
normal weight ithe/vas:, 50(.);, of the overweight or obese ,females thought they were
normal. About S5(1,';., of the students co77S11111cd 11701V (hall 10111' .100d groups per day
shownw that their diet vl as diversified, although more than half (55'),',) 0/ the
respondents .1 kippca at least 0170 meal per day. There is a h04I7 prevalence of
overweight and obesity eye( tally a171017g 10177(11C 111(1C171.1' of Iligher learning
instionion.s ill Alorogoro region„Vntrition cell/canon is necessary to the S111(1C1711' to
reduce 111C risk 101 ILA' .talc 11(11C(1 (ILCC(I.Scs associated witl7 being overweight and
obesity.