Prevalence of Overweight and Obesity and Its Association With Lifestyle Practices as Predictors Among Nursing Students: A Cross-Sectional Study

Introduction Nursing students are future healthcare leaders who play a significant role in promoting community health. A deeper understanding of obesity and related lifestyle factors enables them to develop better awareness regarding the prevention and management of obesity among individuals. Objective This study aimed to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity and to assess the association with lifestyle practices among undergraduate nursing students. Method A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted at RAKCON University, from February to April 2024. Using convenience sampling, 187 undergraduate nursing students were recruited from a total population of 357. Data were collected using a semistructured questionnaire, including sociodemographic characteristics and lifestyle practices. The researchers measured the height and weight of the students initially to calculate the Body Mass Index. Statistical analyses included chi-square tests or Fisher's exact tests to examine associations between variables. Multiple linear regression was used to explore the predictors. Results More than half of the participants (54%) were aged 20 or younger; 67.9% were females. The majority (94.1%) were Arab. More than half (51.3%) had a normal BMI, while 15.5% were obese. There were statistically significant associations in weight change over the last 6 months (X2 = 8.69, p = .03), fast-food consumption (FET = 19.1, p = .01), consumption of soft/sugar-sweetened drinks (FET = 18.4, p = .02), and exercise habits (X2 = 13.90, p = .03). The regression analysis, the model explained 4.3% of BMI variance (R 2 = .043) and was not statistically significant, F (4, 182) = 2.03, p = .092; no individual predictor reached p < .05. Conclusion Overweight and obesity were present among nursing students and associated with selected lifestyle practices, particularly fast-food and carbonated drinks/sweetened drinks, and exercise habits. Targeted health-promotion strategies and educational programs are needed to improve healthy lifestyle behaviors and reduce future obesity-related risks.