ASSOCIATION OF LOW PHYSICAL ACTIVITY WITH HIGH BODY MASS INDEX IN BOTH GENDERS

• Main Author: Rizwan Abid
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Khyber Medical University 2014-11-01
• Series: Khyber Medical University Journal
• Online Access: https://www.kmuj.kmu.edu.pk/article/view/11955

OBJECTIVE: To compare the association of low physical activity with high body mass index (BMI) in both genders, at divisional headquarter Hospital Mirpur. METHODOLOGY: This prospective open label study was conducted from 01-01-202 to 31-12-2012 on 179 consecutive patients at cardiology OPD DHQ teaching hospital Mohiuddin Islamic college Azad Kashmir. Data regarding age, sex, BMI, physical activity, diabetes, hypertension, smoking and hypercholesterolemia were collected and analysis by SPSS 16.0. RESULTS: Mean age was 56.17+13.591 years. Out of 179 individuals, 53(29.6%) were over-weight (males=24/66; 36.4% and females 29/113; 25.7%), while 49(27.4%) were obese (male=16/66; 24.2% and females=33/113; 29.2%). Overall, sedentary life style was prevalent and 105 (58.7%) subjects were having no or low physical activity in routine daily life. Medium physical activity was observed in 34.8% of male and 39.8% of female subjects (p>0.05). Mean BMI was 26.86+5.46 (26.94+5.843 in males & 26.82+5.250 in females; p>0.05). Mean BMI was 28.40+5.684, 27.10+4.791 and 26.17+4.697 in subjects with no physical activity, low physical activity and medium physical activity respectively (p<0.001). Lack of physical activity was significantly associated with high BMI. Pearson correlation was –0.275 for BMI and physical activity (p<0.01). Out of 105 subjects having no or low physical activity, 66 (62.9%) were having above normal BMI. CONCLUSIONS: Low physical activity can lead to obesity in both genders and there is no difference in terms of genders.  Physical activity should be encouraged in both genders to avoid obesity related complications.  BMI should be measured routinely particularly in sedentary and physically inactive individuals.