Abstract

Educational interference leads to the increase of knowledge on nutrition and the enhancement of people’s attitudes to it. The Philippines and Sri Lanka, which are in the South Asian region of the world, are recognized as developing countries. With the busy schedules and hectic workload, medical students of the Philippines and Sri Lanka seem to regularly neglect and skip their meals. Therefore, the present study was carried out to determine the nutritional status and attitudes to it, among female medical students of the Philippines and Sri Lanka because medical  undergraduates  are the future of the health sector, and especially females are expected to play a leading role in the society. In the present study, the dietary habits, knowledge and attitudes regarding nutrition, and the nutritional status as calculated by weight, height, waist and hip  circumferences, skin-fold thickness and mid upper arm circumference have been measured. The body mass index and the waist to hip ratio also have been calculated. There were 154 students in each sample. It was observed that among the tested sample of female medical students, the average height of Sri Lankans is greater than those of Filipinos. The Philippine students’ body mass index is higher than the Sri Lankans, and has
more fat deposits than in the Sri Lankan students. As an average, none of the groups show obesity and thus has less prevalence for the Type 2 diabetes. Both test groups are conscious of their figure and are ready to go on diet plans if needed. Both groups are aware of the healthy body shape and are concerned about maintaining a good figure as a positive image for the profession, although few students do not consider it as an important aspect. As the conclusion, it could be suggested that none of the study groups are obese, thus has less prevalence to the Type 2 diabetes. However, as Filipino female students contain a high body mass index and a high degree of fat deposits in the body, chances of getting cardiac problems and increased blood cholesterol levels are higher in them than in Sri Lankans. Hence, this issue needs intense attention.

Keywords: Female medical students; Nutritional status; Obesity; Philippines; South Asia; Sri Lanka