Use of anti-obesity drugs among college students.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the use of anti-obesity drugs among students attending a public university.


METHODS
This was a cross sectional random study of 664 college students. Drug use, socioeconomic, and anthropometric variables were observed. Body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) were classified according to World Health Organization criteria.


RESULTS
Current or previous use of anti-obesity drugs was reported by 6.8% of students. Amphetamine and sympathomimetic amines (40.5%) were the most commonly used drugs. Among those who reported use of anti-obesity agents, 62.2% were female. Only 31.1% of medications were prescribed by doctors. Mean BMI and WC were higher among students reporting the use of such drugs, but 47% of them were classified as eutrophic by BMI, and 76.5% had normal WC measure.


CONCLUSIONS
The use of anti-obesity drugs among college students is of concern, particularly due to the high proportion of drug use without indication or prescription.
Universidade Federal do Piauí, PI, Brazil. carminhacmartins@yahoo.com.br
Maria do Carmo de Carvalho e
Mdo C
Martins
Manoel Dias de
MD
Souza Filho
Felipe Scipião
FS
Moura
Juliana de Sousa Ribeiro de
Jde S
Carvalho
Marina Costa
MC
Müller
Rebeka Valença
RV
Neves
Patrícia Coelho
PC
Mousinho
Iúri Paz
IP
Lima
D000328:Adult; D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015992:Body Mass Index; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004522:Educational Status; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D050177:Overweight / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012651:Self Medication / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013334:Students; D055105:Waist Circumference
D019440:Anti-Obesity Agents