الفهرس 
INTRODUCTIONOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Obesity is a complicated, global socioeconomic condition considered to be an epidemic. Obesity is associated with adverse health events, including type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular diseases which led to multifactorial approaches of treatment including behavioral and non-behavioral approaches. When behavioral approaches including dieting and physical activity fails to achieve the desired results, we seek non-behavioral treatment like pharmacological treatment and/or bariatric surgeries.
University is a critical period of life since many lifestyle and nutritional habits are formed or changed that may last for lifetime. It appears that in many countries, lack of nutritional knowledge, incorrect nutritional attitudes and also incorrect dietary practices among college students are a common health issues. Proper general nutrition knowledge about obesity, dieting and anti-obesity drugs is related to improved dietary habits, behavioral changes and lifestyle choices as students usually face meal skipping, inadequate variety of foods, and unhealthy snacking.
A good proportion of university students in different researches seek anti-obesity drugs consumption while dieting to lose excess weight. Complications of the abuse of anti-obesity drugs and supplements have been observed in many studies. Students use variety of anti-obesity drugs around the world like (Orlistat, liraglutide, lorcaserin, naltrexone/bupropion, phendimetrazine, phentermine, rimonabant, sibutramine, chitosan and herbal and nutritional supplements). Some seek their advice and source of information from physicians and pharmacists and others took the medicine upon the advice of their peers and relatives, who took the drug before for weight loss and were mostly successful in their attempt or from commercial advertisement on anti-obesity drugs that are very popular in media, TV stations and internet, which may represent a health hazard to the consumer.
The irrational use of anti-obesity drugs is related to exploring some adverse effects that may force the subject to stop the consumption of the drug. The association of exposure to magazines and television with having diet to lose weight and idea of a perfect body shape along with poor overall nutritional knowledge about obesity, dieting and anti-obesity drugs may lead to irrational use of anti-obesity drugs.
Stratification random sampling technique was used. Stratification was based on the different types of faculties in Alexandria University, grades and sex. Four faculties, two theoretical (Commerce and Arts) and two practical (Medicine and Pharmacy) was selected randomly from a list containing all co-educational (both sexes) faculties of Alexandria University located in Alexandria city. Two hundred and forty-five students with body mass index (BMI) more than 25 kg/m2 and following diet regimen were proportionally allocated on selected faculties by sex and grade at random. Data were collected by: interviewing and anthropometric measurements.
There were 25 questions about overall knowledge of obesity, dieting and anti-obesity drugs: the correct answer took code 1, the wrong answer and don’t know answer took code 0. The scoring system was <50 % (0-12) from the total score considered poor knowledge, 50-75 % (13-18) from the total score considered fair knowledge and >75% (19-25) from the total score is good knowledge.
Body mass index was classified to overweight and obese according to BMI international tables as follow: overweight (25-29.9) kg/m2 and obese (30-39.9) kg/m2.
Conclusion
According to the results of the current study, it could be concluded that Alexandria University students should be observed due to the following findings of the study:
1- The consumption of anti-obesity drugs is reported 25.3 % of Alexandria university students following diet regimen with more prevalence in male students.
2- The most commonly used types of anti-obesity is Orlistat, Metformin, chromium picolinate due to relatively low side effects.
3- A high proportion of anti-obesity drugs are used without indication and prescription, and students explore some side effects.
4- Weight loss is the result of using anti-obesity drugs with diet regimen in high percent of students.
5- The use of anti-obesity drugs in theoretical faculties is nearly double that in practical ones, this may be due to the difference in knowledge level.
6- More than half of students had a fair overall knowledge about obesity, dieting and anti-obesity drugs from all four faculties as well the users of drugs among them.
7- There is an association between good overall general knowledge and lower body mass index, less use of drugs, better physical activity and nature of the studied subjects of students.
8- There is a positive relation between anti-obesity drug usage and theoretical type of study in faculty, being obese, urban place of residence.
Recommendations
In view of the previous conclusion, the following recommendations are suggested:
1- Nutrition education programs is recommended to increase the awareness of university students about:
The nature, type and correct dosing of anti-obesity drugs.
The risks and side effects caused by the irrational use of anti-obesity drugs.
The importance of having healthy body weight, practicing regular physical exercise and appropriate seeking of professional help.
How to eat properly and to avoid unhealthy food practices by leading regular scientific lectures and workshops under the supervision of health care specialists.
2- Newly joined university students should be reached through different channel of mass and social media to increase their awareness.
3- Awareness programs and further research is required to investigate specific dieting practices among young students in theoretical faculties to promote and maintain healthy weight.
4- Effective intervention and environmental changes should be made to reduce barriers to healthy lifestyles among students through development of recreational facilities, establishment of sports facilities and providing markets to sell healthy meals in university.
5- A peer-education programs should be applied at the hostels and organized by health educators. And students who are intensely motivated towards proper eating and exercising behaviors should take a prime role in guiding their peers.
6- Focus group interviews with students should be directed to obtain detailed data about students’ problems and their suggestions for improvement