scholarly journals Physical exercise and body-mass index in young adults: a national survey of Norwegian university students

2019 ◽  
Vol 19 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Michael Grasdalsmoen ◽  
Hege Randi Eriksen ◽  
Kari Jussie Lønning ◽  
Børge Sivertsen

Abstract Background Physical inactivity and obesity pose a major public health challenge. The aim of this study was to describe the level of physical exercise and body-mass index in college and university students, as well as to examine potential changes from 2010 to 2018. Methods Data stem from the SHoT study, a national student health survey for higher education in Norway, conducted at 4-year intervals. The SHOT studies conducted so far in 2010, 2014 and 2018, included 6053, 13,525 and 50,054 fulltime students (aged 18–35), respectively. Exercise frequency (average number of times exercising each week) was assessed in all three waves, and was used for the trend analysis. The last wave in 2018 also assessed the average intensity and duration of the exercise. Results Overall, students exercised less in 2018 compared to 2014, but comparable to level in 2010. The prevalence of overweight increased substantially from 2010 to 2018, but especially in the last 4 years and among older female students. Less than one of four male, and one of five female students, met the recommended criteria for both exercise frequency, intensity and duration. As expected, the associations between exercise and overweight/obesity were in a dose-response manner, and strong across all three waves. Conclusions Our findings show that the large majority of young adults fail to meet international recommendations on exercise, and that the proportion of overweight is increasing in both genders and across all age groups. We conclude that there is an urgent need for a broad approach to achieve a paradigm shift in supporting our college and university students to become more active.

2017 ◽  
Vol 80 (4) ◽  
pp. 349-367 ◽  
Author(s):  
Walter King Yan Ho ◽  
Md Dilsad Ahmed ◽  
Chi Ian Leong ◽  
Patrick Chan ◽  
Rudolph Leon Van Niekerk ◽  
...  

AbstractThere is evidence that rapid weight gain during the first year of life is associated with being overweight later in life. Therefore, overweight tendencies need to be detected at an appropriate age, and suitable strategies need to be implemented for weight management to achieve optimal long-term health. The objective of this study was to investigate comparisons in BMI status and associated categories in male and female students over ten years in two phases, including 2008-2013 and 2009-2014. Weight and height data were collected to obtain BMI (Body Mass Index) over ten years in two phases. The first phase occurred from 2008 to 2013, and the second phase occurred from 2009 to 2014 in a population of 10846 school children (Males: 6970, 64.3%, and females: 3875, 35.7%) in Macau. Their ages ranged from 6 years old in 2008 to 11 years old in 2013. The same age range was observed in the second phase, i.e., 2009-2014. Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, such as the mean, standard deviation, t-tests to determine gender differences (year-wise) and a Chi square test for independence to determine the relationship between BMI (Underweight, Standard, Overweight and Obese) and age groups. In the first phase (2008-2013), the findings indicated a higher BMI level among the male students than the female students across all age groups (2008 t = 5.24, 2009 t = 88.25, 2010 t = 11.32, 2011 t = 17.45, 2012 t = 19.70 and 2013 t = 19.92). In the second phase (2009-2014), a higher BMI level was found among the male students than the female students across all age groups (2009 t = 2.68, 2010 t = 2.886, 2011 t = 3.076, 2013 t = 4.228, and 2014 t = 2.405). The results of the two phases combined (2008 to 2014 and 2009 to 2014) revealed that male students in 2008 had a higher BMI level than their counterparts in 2009 in the two age categories (8 years t = 3.025 and 11 years t = 3.377). Female students in the second phase (2009-2014) showed a higher BMI level than their male counterparts (9 years, t = 3.151). The results indicate the need to have focused strategies and structured interventions for male students at the critical age range of 8 to 9 years old. The results of this study also imply the need for the delivery of suitable school intervention activities at the appropriate time. Specifically, the prevention of weight gain should start early in life to encourage the development of healthier behaviours and habits throughout childhood and later ages.


2019 ◽  
Vol 5 (3) ◽  
pp. 180-185 ◽  
Author(s):  
Md Sabbir Ahmed ◽  
Kanij Fatima Anee ◽  
Mohammad Tazrian Abid ◽  
Md Oashkuruni Hridoy ◽  
Al Riaj Hasan ◽  
...  

The objectives of this study was to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity in a sample of students from the Patuakhali Science and Technology University, Bangladesh and examine their usual eating habits. A cross-sectional survey of 260 students (65.38% male and 34.62% female) aged 20.81 ± 1.63 were chosen randomly from the Patuakhali Science and Technology University campus during May to July 2019. Students were asked to fill out a self-reported questionnaire that included questions on their eating, drinking and smoking habits. Also, their weight, height and body mass index were measured. Body mass index (BMI) was used to assess students' weight status. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software (version 23.0). Results shows that, majority of the students (67.3%) were of normal weight. Based on BMI classification, the prevalence of overweight was more common among the male students compared to females (23.5% vs. 10%). In contrast, prevalence of obesity was more common among female students (3.3% vs. 2.9%). A significant difference in BMI was observed between male and female students (p <0.01). The majority of the students (70.4%) reported that they took meals regularly. In terms of breakfast intake, less than half of the students (44.6%) reported that they took their breakfast daily. There was a significant gender difference in the frequency of snacks intake apart from regular meal (p <0.05). Female students were more prone to snacks consumption compared with male students. The unhealthy eating habits of the students was indicated by the fact that near about half of the students (46%) reported eating fried food daily or three to four times per week. Soft drinks consumption among the students were significantly associated with gender (p <0.05). The present results suggest the necessity of nutrition and health promotion programs for university students, especially programs emphasizing weight management. Asian J. Med. Biol. Res. June 2019, 5(3): 180-185


2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 235
Author(s):  
İskender Güler

The purpose of this study was to determine and to evaluate the Body Mass Index (BMI) levels of female students between the ages of 20 and 30 who study at Amasya University and women between the ages of 40 and 60 who live in Amasya since BMI levels are of great importance to determine the body fat levels for a healthy body. We recruited 910 female students and 688 women. All participants had no health problems. The formula we used for BMI levels of the participants was BMI = kg/m2. We relied on such parameters as mean, standart deviation, minimum and maximum values for statistical analyses of the data. We conducted the independent samples t test to see if there was any statistically significant differences between groups. The findings showed that female university students’ body mass index levels were 21.84 kg/m2, while women living in Amasya had 27.68 kg/m2 body mass index levels. We found a statistically significant difference in the body mass index levels between the groups in favor of the female university students. We conclude that female university students between the ages of 20 and 30 who study at Amasya University had normal levels of BMI when compared with women between the ages of 40 and 60 who live in Amasya.


2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (B) ◽  
pp. 20-25
Author(s):  
Sayed Tantawy ◽  
Nada Ikram Karamat ◽  
Rana Sulaiman Al Gannas ◽  
Sara Abdulrahman Khadem ◽  
Dalia M. Kamel

BACKGROUND: Mood disorders such as generalized anxiety disorder (GAD), obsessive-compulsive disorders, and other mental disorders could be due to obesity which is a prevalent condition among majority of population nowadays, whereas changes in anxiety level of individuals are also thought to have an influence on body mass index (BMI). AIM: The objective of the study was to investigate the relationship between BMI and anxiety status among Ahlia University students. METHODS: A total of 80 male and female students from different colleges of Ahlia University were included in our study. Their ages ranged between 18 and 25 years old with different BMI. The students were asked to fill a (GAD 7 scale) questionnaire related to anxiety level; their BMI was calculated. RESULTS: There was a significant relationship between BMI and anxiety status (negative correlation) (p < 0.019). CONCLUSIONS: We concluded that BMI is inversely proportional to anxiety level, the reduction in BMI level is linked with elevated anxiety level and vice versa.


2019 ◽  
Vol 65 (6) ◽  
pp. 845-850
Author(s):  
Jun Wang ◽  
Yan Chen ◽  
Yuelong Jin ◽  
Lijun Zhu ◽  
Yingshui Yao

SUMMARY OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of overweight and obesity and its association with sleep quality in university students from the Anhui province in China. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted in China with 1328 participants. The prevalence of underweight and obesity in university students was estimated according to the reference working group on obesity in China. The sleep quality was evaluated using the standard PSQI (Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index). RESULTS: This study included 470 male and 858 female students from a university in Anhui; 4.4% of the females and 17.7% of the males were overweight or obese. The prevalence of obesity in males was significantly higher than in females, and the prevalence of obesity in higher years was greater than in other years (p<0.05). In general, the mean score for sleep quality was 4.91±2.67; 36.5% of male and 39.1% of female students had poor sleep quality (PSQI score >5). Among the seven components of sleep quality, sleep duration and the use of sleep medication showed significant differences between male and female students and different years (p<0.05). An obvious correlation was found between sleep quality and body mass index (BMI)(p<0.000) in females who took hypnotic drugs. CONCLUSION: This study suggests that the sleep quality of females is probably associated with their BMI. College students are a special group of young adults whose cause of poor sleeping quality and BMI may be significant to study, so the health status of university students can be improved.


BMJ Open ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. e021768 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ying Chen ◽  
Xiao-Ping Zhang ◽  
Jie Yuan ◽  
Bo Cai ◽  
Xiao-Li Wang ◽  
...  

ObjectiveType 2 diabetes mellitus is increasing in young adults, and greater adiposity is considered a major risk factor. However, whether there is an association between obesity and diabetes and how this might be impacted by age is not clear. Therefore, we investigated the association between body mass index (BMI) and diabetes across a wide range of age groups (20–30, 30–40, 40–50, 50–60, 60–70 and ≥70 years old).DesignWe performed a retrospective cohort study using healthy screening programme data.SettingA total of 211 833 adult Chinese persons >20 years old across 32 sites and 11 cities in China (Shanghai, Beijing, Nanjing, Suzhou, Shenzhen, Changzhou, Chengdu, Guangzhou, Hefei, Wuhan, Nantong) were selected for the study; these persons were free of diabetes at baseline.Primary and secondary outcome measuresFasting plasma glucose levels were measured and information regarding the history of diabetes was collected at each visit. Diabetes was diagnosed as fasting plasma glucose ≥7.00 mmol/L and/or self-reported diabetes. Patients were censored at the date of diagnosis or the final visit, whichever came first.ResultsWith a median follow-up of 3.1 years, 4174 of the 211 833 participants developed diabetes, with an age-adjusted incidence rate of 7.35 per 1000 persons. The risk of incident diabetes increased proportionally with increasing baseline BMI values, with a 23% increased risk of incident diabetes with each kg/m2increase in BMI (95% CI 1.22 to 1.24). Across all age groups, there was a linear association between BMI and the risk of incident diabetes, although there was a stronger association between BMI and incident diabetes in the younger age groups (age×BMI interaction, p<0.0001).ConclusionsAn increased BMI is also independently associated with a higher risk of developing diabetes in young adults and the effects of BMI on incident diabetes were accentuated in younger adults.


Author(s):  
Jonathan E. Handelzalts ◽  
Yael Ben-Artzy-Cohen

The Draw-A-Person (DAP) test has been the center of a long-lasting debate regarding its validity. This study investigated the DAP indices of height, width (size), and inclusion/omission of details and their relation to body image as measured by a self-report scale (Gray’s body image scale) and manifested by the diet behaviors and body mass index of 55 healthy female students. Although the drawings of the diet group were smaller, there was no significant relationship between figure size and diet behaviors. However, body image as measured by a self-report scale did result in significant differences between groups. Moreover, there was a significant correlation between the size of the figure drawn and body image as measured by a self-report scale (larger figures correlated with better body image). No significant results were found for the omission/inclusion indices of the DAP. These results are discussed in light of previous findings regarding the DAP.


2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mitchell Metzger ◽  
Morgan Myers ◽  
Emily Embrescia ◽  
David F. Vanata

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