Does the Consumption of Immune Boosting Foods Influence the Body Mass Index in College Going Students?
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2025-06
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Department of Community Medicine, Institute of Medical Sciences, Banaras Hindu University, Varanasi- 221005, India.
Abstract
Introduction: Optimal immune status results from a good balanced nutrition and a physically active lifestyle, ensuring a normal body mass index. The main objective of the present study is to expound the relationship between the Body Mass Index and the intake of specific immune boosting foods. Materials and Methods: 211 college going students in the age group of 18 to 30 years participated in this cross-sectional study. A web-based tool was designed to collect data on anthropometric measurements and food frequency of immune boosting foods such as tea, ginger, garlic and turmeric intake. Ethical clearance was approved from the place of study. Results: The analysis of BMI data indicated that 62.0% of the study participants had a BMI within the normal range (between 18.5 and 24.9), 13.3% were overweight (between 25 and 29.9), and 3.3% were obese. Nineteen per cent of males and 41.2% of females had a WHR above normal. Thirty eight per cent and 34.1 per cent used garlic daily and three days a week, respectively, with a BMI within the normal range (p<0.05). 54.5% and 23.7% used turmeric daily and three days a week, respectively, likewise, 39.8% and 31.3% used ginger daily and three days a week, respectively and had a normal BMI. However, the results showed no statistical significance for turmeric, ginger and tea. Conclusion: Regular consumption of immune boosting foods like turmeric, ginger and garlic may have influenced the body mass index of the study participants.
Description
Keywords
Body Mass Index, Ginger, garlic, turmeric, tea, immune boosting foods.
Citation
Pariat L, S T. Does the Consumption of Immune Boosting Foods Influence the Body Mass Index in College Going Students?. Indian Journal of Preventive and Social Medicine. 2025 Jun; 56(2): 250-256