International Journal of Health Sciences & Research (www.ijhsr.org) 141 Vol.8; Issue: 7; July 2018 International Journal of Health Sciences and Research www.ijhsr.org ISSN: 2249-9571 Original Research Article The Body Mass Index Patterns in Indian Collegiate Students Dr. D. Vijay Kumar 1 , Prachi Sathe 2 , Abhinav Sathe 2 1 Professor and H.O.D, 2 Assistant Professor, Department of Physiotherapy, Rajeev Gandhi College, Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, India Corresponding Author: Dr. D. Vijay Kumar ABSTRACT College based BMI measurement has been predicted as a potential approach to address obesity among youth. However, little is known about its impact or effectiveness in changing obesity rates or related physical activity and dietary behaviours that influence obesity. BMI measurement in colleges may be conducted for surveillance and screening of weight status, because it is relatively easy to measure and correlates with body fat. This study included 105 students of both sexes (52 females and 53 males) selected from Rajeev Gandhi College, Bhopal, India using non-probability purposive sampling method. This case study describes current BMI-patterns and provides guidance on implementing such an approach. Keywords: Body mass index, Body fat, Obesity, physical activity, weight status INTRODUCTION BMI is the ratio of an individual’s weight to height squared (kg/m 2 ) and is used to estimate a person’s risk of weight -related health problems. It is often used to assess weight status, because it is relatively easy to measure and correlates with body fat. (1-5) After BMI is calculated it is plotted by age on a gender specific growth chart. BMI measurement in colleges may be conducted for surveillance and screening purposes. A number of concerns have been expressed about college based BMI screening programs, Including that they might intensify the stigmatization already experienced by many obese youth, increase dissatisfaction with body image, and intensify pressures to engage in harmful weight-loss practices that could lead to eating disorders. (6-15) There are many researches which have studies related to obesity in school going children in India but very few have shown the current habitus of obesity in college going students. Therefore the present research was directed towards determining the patterns of body built in collegiate students of India. More research is needed to assess the validity of these concerns. BMI surveillance programs are less controversial, because they do not involve the communication of sensitive information and do not require follow-up care. MATERIALS AND METHODS This study was done at Rajeev Gandhi College, Bhopal, India during the period from 15 th March 2017 to 20th January 2018. A convenient sample of 105 collegiate students of both sexes of age group 17- 23 years were chosen using non- probability purposive sampling method. Objectives of the study were explained to participants. They were segregated in two