Obesity among young people increases lifetime cardiovascular risk. This study assesses the prevalence of overweight/obesity and its associated factors among a random sample of university students from 22 universities in 22 low, middle income and emerging economy countries. This cross-sectional survey comprised of a self-administered questionnaire and collected anthropometric measurements. The study population was 6773 (43.2%) males and 8913 (56.8%) females, aged 16 to 30 years (mean 20.8 years, SD = 2.6). Body mass index (BMI) was used for weight status. Among men, the prevalence of underweight was 10.8%, normal weight 64.4%, overweight 18.9% and obesity 5.8%, while among women, the prevalence of underweight was 17.6%, normal weight 62.1%, overweight 14.1% and obesity 5.2%. Overall, 22% were overweight or obese (24.7% men and 19.3% women). In multivariate regression among men, younger age, coming from a higher income country, consciously avoiding fat and cholesterol, physically inactivity, current tobacco use and childhood physical abuse, and among women older age, coming from a higher income country, frequent organized religious activity, avoiding fat and cholesterol, posttraumatic stress symptoms and physical childhood abuse were associated overweight or obesity. Several gender specific risk factors identified can be utilized in health promotion programmes.

Although the number of known HIV-infected students in Madagascar increased significantly between 1989 and 1995, very little is known about student behaviour with regard to AIDS. The study objectives were: to describe Malagasy students' sexual behaviour and condom use; to document students' perceptions about condoms; and to study the relationships between students' socio-demographic characteristics, their perceptions about condoms, and their condom use. The survey used a cross-sectional design and was conducted at the Antananarivo's university campus sites. Anonymous questionnaires were self-administered to 320 randomly selected students.Descriptive statistics and 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Logistic regressions were performed to identify the predictors of condom use. Participants' average age was 24 years. Approximately 80% of the participants reported sexual experiences, and the average age at sexual debut was 19 years. Only 5.7% reported consistent condom use. Common reasons for non-use were steady relationships (75.6%), the perception that condoms were useful only during ovulation periods (8.7%), and the decrease of pleasure (6.4%). The predictors of condom use were male gender, and the perception that condoms were useful during ovulation periods.Risky sexual behaviours with regard to AIDS were prevalent in this community. An HIV prevention programme is recommended. Keywords: Sexual behaviour, condoms, HIV, students, Madagascar. RésuméBien que le nombre connu des étudiants malgaches infectés par le VIH ait largement augmenté entre 1989 et 1995, l'information sur le comportement des étudiants par rapport au SIDA est très limitée. Les objectifs de cette étude furent: 1) décrire le comportement sexuel des étudiants malgaches et l'utilisation du préservatif, 2) documenter les perceptions des étudiants envers les préservatifs, 3) examiner dans quelle mesure l'utilisation du préservatif par les étudiants varie en fonction de leurs caractéristiques sociodémographiques et leurs perceptions envers les préservatifs. Cette étude a été menée dans les sites du campus universitaire d' Antananarivo en utilisant un devis transversal. Un questionnaire anonyme a été auto-administré à 320 étudiants sélectionnés au hasard. Des statistiques descriptives et intervalles de confiance à 95% ont été calculés. La régression logistique a été utilisée pour identifier les déterminants de l'utilisation du préservatif. La moyenne d'âge des participants était de 24 ans. Environ 80% des répondants ont signalé avoir eu des rapports sexuels et l'âge moyen de premiers rapports était de 19 ans. Seulement 5,7% ont rapporté l'utilisation systématique du préservatif. Les raisons de non utilisation furent les suivantes : être dans une relation stable (75,6%), la perception que le préservatif est uniquement utile durant la période d' ovulation (8,7%) et la réduction du plaisir (6,4%). Le genre masculin et l'argument d' ovulation ont été identifiés comme prédicteurs d'utilisation de préservatifs. Les comportements sexuels à risque...