Chapter1(Introduction)

In America, the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 104 indicates that 59% of American men and 49% women have BMIs over 25. The newest survey in 2007 indicates a continuation of the increase in BMI. 63% of Americans are overweight, with 26% now in the obese category. Recent studies have shown that many Asian populations have higher proportion of body fat compared to Caucasians of the same age, gender and BMI. Hence, we have decided to carry out a survey on second year students (batch 2008/2009) of UMP to see how their eating habit affects their BMI level. Basically, this report will cover areas of interest such as food, BMI level as well as rest and recreation (R&R) as a parameter to identify their eating habit and effects on their BMI level.
 * 1. 1 Background of the proposed report **

The term eating habits (or food habits) refers to why and how people eat, which food they eat, and with whom they eat, as well as the ways people obtain, store, use, and discard food. BMI stand for Body Mass Index. The term ”body mass index” for the ratio and its popularity date to a 1972 paper by Ancel Keys, which found the BMI to be the best proxy for body ft percentage among ratios of weight and height. The body mass index (BMI) is a controversial statistical measurement which compares a person’s weight and height. It is the mostly widely used diagnostic tool to identify weight problem within a population including: underweight, overweight and obesity. BMI is defined as the individual’s body weight(kg) divided by the square of his/her height(m). The table below shows the categories for the BMI range. (source:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Body_mass_index) The WHO (World Health Organization) regard a BMI of less than 18.5 as underweight and may indicate malnutrition, and eating disorder, or other health problems, while a BMI greater than 25 is considered overweight and above 30 is considered obese.
 * 1.2 Definition of Key Terms **
 * ** Category ** || ** BMI range (kg/m2) ** ||
 * Underweight || Less than 18.5 ||
 * Normal || 18.5 to 24.9 ||
 * Overweight || 25 to 29.9 ||
 * Obese || More than 30 ||

1. What is the BMI level of the students? 2. What is the eating habit of the students?
 * 1.3 Research Questions **

1. To examine the BMI level of the students. 2. To examine the eating habit of the students. 3.To provide the recommendation on eating habit in daily life
 * 1.4 Objectives of the study. **