Association of Physical Factors (BMI and WHR) with Physical Activity Level (PAL) and Gender-wise Comparison among College Students
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.37506/0xrscw48Abstract
Background: Assessment of physical factors such as Body Mass Index (BMI) and Waist Hip Ratio (WHR) and their
association with Physical Activity Levels (PAL) is essential among college student population for assessing their
health risk & creating a healthy environment through the implementation of effective strategies by educational
institutions.
Methods: A cross sectional study was conducted on 202 adult college students (male:105 & female: 97) of Kolkata,
West Bengal, India, under the age group 18-23 years. They were randomly selected through Convenient sampling
method and their PAL(MET-Min/Week) was estimated and classified using the guideline of International
Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) Short. Their BMI & WHR were also measured and categorized as per
WHO guideline. Co-relation of the BMI & WHR with their PAL has been analysed and the risk of chronic disease
was observed. The study wasapproved by the Institutional Human Ethical Committee.
Conclusions: Majority (82.18%) of students had ‘High’ physical activity levels, with males showing significantly
higher total mean PAL & WHR than females (p < 0.05). Physically inactive were (4.46%) &Obese were 10.40%
yet 25.25% of students were found at high cardiovascular & other health risk. While physical activity is crucial
for overall health, its impact on BMI & WHR can be inconsistent as individual variability in response to exercise,
dietary habits, metabolic rate and genetic predispositions etc. and also some other health matrices or hidden
factors which should be explored through further research. While PAL had no significant correlation with BMI
or WHR, the PAL-WHR correlation (Beta coefficient = 0.034) was comparatively stronger than PAL-BMI (Beta
coefficient = 0.006), suggesting WHR is a more significant health indicator than BMI. This study thus highlighted
the need for targeted health interventions in college student’s populationspecially the females to address obesity
and the associated risks of cardiovascular and other chronic diseases
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