Impact Of Hygiene Practices Influencing Obesity Prevalence Among Generation Z

Abstract

This study examines the impact of hygiene-related practices on obesity prevalence among generation z in urban india, addressing a critical gap in existing research that largely focuses on isolated factors such as diet and physical inactivity. Adopting a multi-domain hygiene framework, the research integrates lifestyle, psychological, environmental, and occupational hygiene factors to better understand their collective influence on obesity as a metabolic disorder.

A quantitative cross-sectional survey was conducted among 95 urban respondents aged 18–28 years using a structured questionnaire. Body mass index (bmi) was calculated from self-reported data and analysed alongside composite hygiene scores. Statistical tools including anova, chi-square tests, t-tests, pearson correlation, and kruskal-wallis tests were applied to evaluate associations between hygiene practices and obesity outcomes.

The findings reveal a high prevalence of overweight and obesity (46.3%) within the sample, with only 34.7% maintaining normal weight. Dietary hygiene emerged as the strongest predictor of bmi, showing a significant positive correlation, followed by psychological stress, which also demonstrated a meaningful association with higher bmi levels. Physical activity and sleep duration showed strong differentiating effects across weight categories, with inadequate sleep and low activity levels significantly linked to obesity. Environmental and occupational hygiene factors contributed to obesity risk, though with comparatively weaker statistical significance.

The study concludes that obesity among generation z is a multidimensional issue influenced by interconnected hygiene behaviours rather than isolated lifestyle choices. It highlights the need for integrated, behaviour-based preventive strategies focusing on diet, stress management, sleep hygiene, and physical activity. These findings provide valuable insights for public health policies and interventions targeting youth populations in urban India