Obesity and personality types of high school boys in Kuwait

The aim of this study is to estimate the prevalence of obesity among first grade high school male students in Kuwait sand to investigate the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and personality types.

First grade high school male students of an urban, a semi-urban, and a rural governorate in Kuwait was the target population. The systematic random sampling technique was used. Pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used for data collection. Height and weight measures were performed. Personality testing was done using the Eyzenck Personality Questionnaire (EPQ).

In a sample of 504 participants, 44.4% were overweight and obese. High neuroticism score, large number of siblings in the family, lack of exercising, and very low family monthly income significantly predicted overweight and obesity on multivariate analysis.

The prevalence of overweight and obesity is quite alarming. The fact that obesity is a mass phenomenon is highlighted by the lack of association of an increased BMI with most demographic and socioeconomic variables. An urgent action must be taken in order to control the increased obesity epidemic.