Body Mass Index and Physical Activity of Medical Students: A Cross-Sectional Study at the Arabian Gulf University

Background: This paper investigates the problems regarding caffeinated drinks intake, late chronotype, and increased body mass index (BMI) among medical students at a Chinese university. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in 2018 with 616 medical students from Chongqing Medical University in Chongqing, China, whose information were collected by a self-reported questionnaire that included four sections: Demographic characteristics; Caffeinated drinks intake and physical state; Morningness-Eveningness Questionnaire; Depression Anxiety Stress Scale 21. Multiple mediation analyses were conducted to test the impact of late chronotype on increased BMI through caffeinated drinks consumption through two models. Results: The significantly mediated effect of caffeinated drinks consumption was revealed (estimate: −0.01, SE = 0.01, 95% CI [−0.02, −0.01]), and which played a positive role in linking late chronotype (B = −0.01, SE = 0.01, p < 0.001) and increased BMI (B = 1.37, SE = 0.21, p < 0.01), but their significant association did not be found in reversed model. In addition, physical activity and inactivity times demonstrated significant indirect effects in the two models. Conclusions: Interventions should focus on reducing caffeinated drinks intake and sedentary behavior time, enhancing physical activity among medical students.

Download Full-text

The Correlation between Work From Home (WFH) Frequency and Body Mass Index (BMI) profile

Indonesian Medical and Life Science Journal ◽

10.53536/melisa.v1i3.19 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 1 (3) ◽

pp. 72-78

Author(s):

Herman Yosef Limpat Wihastyoko ◽

Dorothea R. Kusumaningrat ◽

Ellenora R. Mustikaningrat ◽

Gisella S. Wruhastanti ◽

Edith S. Rinhastyanti

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Body Mass ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Government Employees ◽

Light Physical Activity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Work From Home ◽

Study Participants

COVID-19 pandemic has become the major problem over the world since 2019. This spreading has affected every section in Indonesia. Therefore, social distancing and restriction have been the primary solution this far. However, this policy trigger high sedentary behavior and could affect Body Mass Index (BMI) profile. This study aimed to investigate the correlation between Work From Home (WFH) frequency and BMI profile during COVID-19 based on physical activity. A total of 205 participants aged 18 and over who were students, private and government employees were participated in a cross-sectional study. Participants were given a questionnaire through google form online and completed the questions about duration of WFH, BMI status, and physical activity. All of the variables were analyzed. Participants engaged in this study were 40% students, 33% private employees, 27% government employees. The majority of the population had overweight BMI status (39.2%). Furthermore, most participants were doing light physical activity (74.5%). About 46.1 % of the participants rarely doing WFH (1-2 days). On the other side, a population with overweight BMI status were often doing WFH. Based on the research about the effect of pandemic on BMI profile, it can be concluded that the BMI status of the majority of respondents is overweight, and most of the respondent’s physical activity are rare. The amount of WFH frequencies can affect BMI status profile.

Download Full-text

Effects of Body Mass Index (BMI), demographic and socioeconomic factors on organized physical activity (OPA) participation in children aged 6-15 years: a cross-sectional study comparing primary and secondary school children in Greece

BMC Pediatrics ◽

10.1186/s12887-020-02276-6 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Vilelmine Carayanni ◽

Elpis Vlachopadopoulou ◽

Dimitra Koutsouki ◽

Gregory C. Bogdanis ◽

Theodora Psaltopoulou ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Physical Activity ◽

Body Mass Index ◽

Socioeconomic Status ◽

Secondary School ◽

Socioeconomic Factors ◽

Body Mass ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Sectional Study ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Primary And Secondary School

Abstract Background The aim of the present study was to examine the influence of body mass index category, as well as of demographic and socioeconomic factors on the participation in organized physical activity (OPA) of schoolchildren attending primary and secondary school in Greece. Furthermore, to compare the difference between the two levels. Methods This is a cross-sectional study conducted on a representative elementary and secondary school cohort, derived using stratification and probability proportional to size (PPS) methodology. The final sample included 18,264 subjects, aged 6 to 15 years. Parents of all students and students of secondary schools fulfilled validated questionnaires evaluating socioeconomic status, and participation to OPA. International Obesity Task Force (IOTF) cut offs were used to classify the children. Univariate and multivariate logistic models examined factors associated with OPA. All analyses were stratified by school level. Results Sport participation was not reported in 37.7 and 54.4% of primary and secondary schoolchildren respectively. Having BMI within normal range, being male, having parents participating in an organized activity and a high socio-economic status seem to encourage participation in OPA in both school levels. Conclusions Children with normal BMI are more likely to participate in OPA. Parents as role model as well as higher socioeconomic status of the family emerge as important influencers. Participation in OPA declines as students enter secondary school. Interventions focusing on increasing physical education and activity into school daily program should be tailored to the specific needs of different weight categories and can possibly eliminate the impact of SES inequalities.

Download Full-text