Objectives: This study aimed to determine the current status of physical fitness classification evaluated through anthropometric indices, and to analyze the association between Body Mass Index (BMI) and academic performance among first-year medical students.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 533 first-year medical students at Nguyen Tat Thanh University during the 2023-2024 academic year. Anthropometric indices were measured directly using standardized instruments. Nutritional status was classified according to Asian BMI standards (IDI&WPRO), and physical fitness was categorized based on the 1997 Ministry of Health standards. The association with Grade Point Average (GPA) was analyzed using multivariable linear regression in STATA 14.0.
Results: The prevalence of refractive errors in the study sample was 44.7%. The overall prevalence of overweight and obesity was 47.0%; notably, this rate was exceptionally high in males (61.4%) compared to females (35.8%). However, when applying the 1997 Ministry of Health standards, up to 79.6% of students were classified as "Very Healthy". Multivariable regression analysis showed no significant association between BMI and academic performance (p > 0.05). Independent factors associated with GPA included gender (females scored higher than males, p=0.002) and residence (dormitory residents scored lower than those living at home, p=0.008).
Conclusion: The rate of overweight and obesity among male medical students is at an alarming level. There is a need for timely lifestyle interventions for students.