Abstract

Background: Medical students represent a highly educated population and encounter multiple stresses. Newly admitted MBBS students may experience anxiety. Altered BMI can lead to mental health disorders. Aims &
Objective: The present study aims to assess the anxiety levels among the new MBBS students and to evaluate a correlation between BMI and anxiety levels.
Materials and Methods: 150 new MBBS students were taken and divided into groups- Group-A, hostellers and Group-B, day-scholars; Hamilton Anxiety scale was used to assess the anxiety levels. These anxiety scores were correlated with their BMI values.
Results: The anxiety scores were significantly more in female students as compared to the male students. Among the females the anxiety scores were more in female hostellers than their male counterparts. The difference in anxiety scores in male and female day scholars was not significant. Correlation studies showed only a significant correlation between BMI and anxiety scores in male hostellers. Conclusion: Anxiety is present in newly admitted MBBS students varying from mild to severe form. To tide over this anxiety different strategies should be adopted which include counseling and stress management techniques at the very start of the curriculum.