RELATIONSHIP OF LIFE STYLE CHOICES ON BODY FAT MASS IN YOUNG ADULTS

Authors

  • Rehana Rehman
  • Saif ullah Shaikh
  • Sadiqa Syed
  • Nayyab Shakeel

Abstract

Background: Healthy diets and regular, adequate physical activity are major factors in thepromotion and maintenance of good health throughout entire life course. Accumulation of fatoccurs whenever energy consumed by food and drinks exceeds that which can be utilised by anindividual’s metabolism and physical activity. The objective of this study was to estimate theeffect of lifestyle characteristics of a representative segment of medical students in terms of fastfood preferences and participation in physical activity with respect to Body Mass Index (BMI).Methods: This cross-sectional study was carried out in Physiology Department, Bahria UniversityMedical & Dental College, Karachi on 192 students of 1st and 2nd year MBBS. Body Mass indexof students was calculated. They were classified into 4 groups with BMI ≤18.5, 18.6–23, 23.1–25and ≥25 respectively. A life style questionnaire, based on preferences for healthy/unhealthy food,dietary habits and participation in physical activity was filled. Results: Most of medical students(65%) had BMI less than 23. It was because of selection of healthy dietary pattern with nutritiousfood (p<0.09) and participation in outdoor games (p<0.03). Males who had high BMI showed atendency to daily intake of fast food (p<0.03). Walking in both the sexes had a positive impact inmaintaining normal BMI (p= Males<0.04, females<0.001). Conclusion: Obesity can be preventedby innovative approaches, easiest of which is to promote active life styles with intake of healthydiet and involvement in physical activity.Keywords: BMI, obese, overweight

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Published

2010-12-01

Issue

Vol. 22 No. 4 (2010): JOURNAL OF AYUB MEDICAL COLLEGE, ABBOTTABAD

Section

ORIGINAL ARTICLE

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