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Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy
Published in: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy 1/2014

Open Access 01-12-2014 | Research

Differences between men and women in self-reported body mass index and its relation to drug use

Authors: Pablo Vera-Villarroel, José A Piqueras, Walter Kuhne, Pim Cuijpers, Annemieke van Straten

Published in: Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy | Issue 1/2014

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Abstract

Background

Obesity is a public health problem of alarming proportions, including among the university population in Latin America. The purpose of this study was to determine the relation between the self-reported body mass index and the associated drug use and health-risk behaviors.

Methods

We performed a cross-sectional, descriptive study of 3,311 Chilean university students (17–24 years). The variables weight, height, frequency of physical activity, diet quality index, and drug use were evaluated by way of a self-report questionnaire.

Results

16.7% of students were overweight and 2.1% were obese. Higher rates of overweight and obesity were observed in the men compared to women. There was a significant but moderate association between self-perceived obesity and being men and higher age, and just low with greater use of analgesics and tranquilizers with or without a prescription.

Conclusions

The punctual prevalence rates of self-reported obesity, in this sample, are consistent with other Latin American studies. The risk behaviors associated with perceived obesity in terms of gender, particularly the different pattern of drug use, highlight the importance of considering gender when designing strategies to promote health in a university setting.
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Metadata
Title
Differences between men and women in self-reported body mass index and its relation to drug use
Authors
Pablo Vera-Villarroel
José A Piqueras
Walter Kuhne
Pim Cuijpers
Annemieke van Straten
Publication date
01-12-2014
Publisher
BioMed Central
Published in
Substance Abuse Treatment, Prevention, and Policy / Issue 1/2014
Electronic ISSN: 1747-597X
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/1747-597X-9-1

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