Abstract
BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVES: Hypertension, obesity and nutritional anemia is highly prevalent and largely undiagnosed among dental students. Early identification of these diseases is essential among them, considering their role as future surgeons and role models in public health intervention. Prevalence of hypertension, obesity and anemia among the dental students of Bareilly was studied. METHODS: This cross sectional study was carried out among the first year students of Institute of Dental Sciences, Bareilly after obtaining institutional ethical committee clearance and informed consent of respondents. A structured and pretested questionnaire was used to collect information about the respondent's demographic profile, family history of hypertension and diabetes, the measurement of blood pressure, anthropometrical parameters and anemia. RESULTS: Out of the 107 respondents, nearly 28.0% had a positive family history of hypertension and/or diabetes. The prevalence of hypertension was 27.1% while about 28.0 % were found to be overweight. Nearly 57.6% had an increased waist hip ratio and about 14.8% were anemic. A higher proportion of males were found to be overweight and hypertensive as compared to the females, the difference being statistically insignificant. Increased waist hip ratio was found to be significantly higher among the males while anemia was significantly higher among the females (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Early identification of hypertension, obesity and anemia and their modification among dental students is required.