Use of anti-obesity drugs among college students *

SummaryObjectiveTo evaluate the use of anti-obesity drugs among students attending a public university.MethodsThis 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.ResultsCurrent 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.ConclusionThe use of anti-obesity drugs among college students is of concern, particularly due to the high proportion of drug use without indication or prescription.