Gender differences in Body Mass Index and physical activity of students of the University of Tuzla

• Authors: Almir Atikovic , Sanjin Hodzic , Jasmin Bilalic , Jasmin Mehinovic , Amra Nozinovic Mujanovic , Edin Mujanovic , Alen Kapidzic
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Background: This study was carried out among undergraduate students at the University of Tuzla (Bosna and Herzegovina) with the objective of examining gender differences in the body mass index (BMI) and the level of Physical Activity (PA) among respondents. Material/Methods: This study was conducted to: determine the body mass index (BMI) and the average weekly number of hours of sport activity in the last six months (PA). A research sample was made of female students (n = 330) in the chronological age of 19.3+1.5 yrs, 60.7%, and of male students (n = 213) in the chronological age of 20.0+1.8 yrs, 39.2%. Results: On average, the students (both female and male) spend 5.60 (5.03) hours on physical activity per week. Female students spend 4.05 (4.32) hours, while male students dedicate 8.11 (5.30) hours to physical activities. It can be concluded that in principle the students practice physical activities and recreation, but still 1/5 of all students are inactive. The obtained results for the BMI show that the majority of students are in the zone of normal values: female - 278 (84.2%); male - 157 (73.7%). Correlations between BMI and PA amount to (R = .214; p < 0.01) and (R2 = .046; p < 0.01). The results of the T-test show a more significant statistical variable of differences between female and male students at the level of p < 0.05. In comparison to female students, male students have 2.35 kg/m2 higher BMI, and they are more active in physical activities for 4.06 hours in comparison to women. Conclusions: The focus should be directed to the education of young people, because they can easily adopt healthy habits that should be maintained for life. These results point out the necessity of an integrated approach to prevention and control of risk factors, particularly among youth.

Keywords

EN

body mass index; physical activity; lifestyle; university students

• Publisher: Versita
• Journal: Baltic Journal of Health and Physical Activity
• Year: 2014
• Volume: 6
• Issue: 3
• Pages: 183-192

Dates

published

1 - 10 - 2014

received

1 - 3 - 2014

accepted

1 - 7 - 2014

online

15 - 11 - 2014

Contributors

author

Almir Atikovic

• Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

author

Sanjin Hodzic

• Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

author

Jasmin Bilalic

• Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

author

Jasmin Mehinovic

• Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

author

Amra Nozinovic Mujanovic

• Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

author

Edin Mujanovic

• Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

author

Alen Kapidzic

• Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, University of Tuzla, Bosnia and Herzegovina

References

• 1. US Department of Health and Human Services. Physical activity and health: a report of the Surgeon General. Atlanta: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 1996. [Accessed on 24 November 2012]. Available from URL: http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/sgr/pdf/execsumm.pdf.
• 2. World Health Organization. Global health risks: mortality and burden of disease attributable to selected major risk factors, Geneva, Switzerland, 2009. [Accessed on 24 November 2012]. Available from URL: http://www.who.int/healthinfo/global_burden_disease/GlobalHealthRisks_report_full.pdf
• 3. Mascie Taylor CG, Goto R. Human variation and body mass index: a review of the universality of BMI cut-offs, gender and urban-rural differences, and secular changes. J Physiol Anthropol. 2007;26(2):109-112.
• 4. James WPT, Rigby N, Leach R. The obesity epidemic, metabolic syndrome and future prevention strategies. Eur J Cardiovasc Prev Rehabil. 2004;11:3-8.[PubMed]
• 5. Lobstein T, Bauer L, Uauy R. Counting the costs: the physical, psychosocial and economic consequences of childhood obesity. Obes Rev. 2004;5:4-32.
• 6. Fister K, Kolcic, Milanovic SM, Kern J.The prevalence of overweight, obesity and central obesity in six regions of Croatia: results from the Croatian Adult Health Survey. Coll Antropol. 2009;33(Suppl 1):25-29.[PubMed]
• 7. Berghoefer A, Pischon T, Reinhold T, Apovian CM, Sharma AM, Willich SN. Obesity prevalence from a European perspective: a systematic review. BMC Public Health. 2008; 8:200-209.[Crossref]
• 8. Lobstein T, Frelut ML. Prevalence of overweight among children in Europe. Obes Rev. 2003;4(4):195-200.[PubMed][Crossref]
• 9. Knutson KL. Sex differences in the association between sleep and body mass index in adolescents. J Pediatr. 2005;147(6):830-834.
• 10. World Health Organization. Physical status: the use and interpretation of anthropometry. (Report of a WHO Expert Committee. WHO Technical Report Series 854. Geneva: WHO, 1995). [Accessed on 24 November 2012]. Available from URL: http://www.who.int/childgrowth/publications/physical_status/en/index.html
• 11. Wang J, Thornton JC, Russell M, Burastero S, Heymsfield S, Pierson RN Jr. Asians have lower body mass index (BMI) but higher percent body fat than do whites: comparisons of anthropometric measurements. Am J Clin Nutr. 1994;60:23-28.[PubMed]
• 12. WHO/IASO/IOTF. The Asia-Pacific perspective: redefining obesity and its treatment. Melbourne: Health Communications, Australia PTY Ltd, 2000.
• 13. Cole TJ, Bellizzi MC, Flegal KM, Dietz WH. Establishing a standard definition for child overweight and obesity worldwide: international survey. BMJ. 2000;320:1240-1243.
• 14. Cole TJ, Flegal KM, Nicholls D, Jackson AA. Body mass index cut offs to define thinness in children and adolescents: international survey. BMJ. 2007;335:194-197.
• 15. Pietrobelli A, Faith MS, Allison DB, Gallagher D, Chiumello G, Heymsfield SB. Body mass index as a measure of adiposity among children and adolescents: A validation study. J Pediatr. 1998;132:204-210.
• 16. Haslam DW, James WPT.Obesity. Lancet. 2005;366(9492):1197-1209.
• 17. Grujic S. Ucestalost i problemi kvantifikacije gojaznosti predskolske dece [The frequency and problems of quantification overweight and preschool children] Faculty of Sport and Tourism, Novi Sad. TIMS Acta. 2011;5:31-36. In Serbian.
• 18. Caspersen C J, Powell KE, Christenson GM. Physical activity, exercise, and physical fitness. Public Health Rep. 1985;100:125-131.
• 19. Telama R, Yang X, Viikari J, Valimaki I, Wanne O, Raitakari O. Physical activity from childhood to adulthood: a 21-year tracking study. Am J Prev Med. 2005;28:267-273.[Crossref][PubMed]
• 20. Nikolic I, Tahic T. Sportsko-rekreacijske aktivnosti i stavovi prema njima te povezanost bavljenja tjelesnim aktivnostima s roditeljskom tjelesnom aktivnosti i usamljenoscu kod studenata Uciteljskog fakulteta. [Sports and recreational activities and attitudes towards the mand connections with physical exercise parental physical activity and loneliness among students of the Faculty of Pedagogical Education]. Napredak: Journal of Pedagogical Theory and Practice. 2011;152(2): 289-303. In Serbian.
• 21. Gosnik J, Bunjevac T, Sedar M, Prot F, Bosnar K. Sport experience of undergraduate students. In: Proceedings Books of 3rd International Scientific Conference, Opatija, 2002 “Kinesiology New Perspectives”, Zagreb: Faculty of Kinesiology, University of Zagreb, 457-462.
• 22. Kovacevic Z, Mihaljevic D, Pausic J. Health status and physical activity of students of the Faculty of Medicine. In: Proceedings of the 17th Summer School of Croatian Kinesiology. Zagreb: Croatian Kinesiology Association, 524. [Accessed on 28 July 2010]. Available from URL: http://www.hrks.hr/skole/17_ljetna_skola/524-527.pdf
• 23. Pejic D. Testing students' opinions about the use of leisure time and the subjective perception of health in Polytechnics Lavoslav Ruzicka in Vukovar. In: Proceedings of the 17th Summer School of Croatian Kinesiology. Zagreb: Croatian Kinesiology Association, 346. [Accessed on 28 July 2010]. Available from URL: www.hrks.hr/skole/17_ljetna_skola/346-353.pdf
• 24. Vracan D, Pisacic T, Slacanac K. Attitudes towards exercise and sports interests to individual student activities Architectural and Faculty of Geodesy, University of Zagreb, 522. [Accessed on 24 November 2012]. Available from URL: http://www.hrks.hr/skole/18_ljetna_skola/522-527.pdf
• 25. Skoro V, Stojanovic N, Banjari I. Nutritional status of students of the University of Osijek. In: Proceedings of the 1st Student Congress of Clinical Nutrition and Dietotherapy. Medical Faculty, University of Rijeka, 42-43.
• 26. Budakov N, Bokan D, Rakic D, Bokan D. Body mass index and physical activity of students of University of Novi Sad. SEEHSJ. 2012;2:8-14.
• 27. Petrova S, Angelova K. Scientific background of Food-Based dietary Guidelines for Bulgarians Advances in Bulgarian Science, 2006,4:19-33
• 28. Stojanović D, Visnjic A, Mitrovic V, Stojanovic M. Risk factors for the occurrence of cardovascular system diseases in students. Vojnosanit Pregl. 2009;66(6):453-458.[Crossref][WoS]
• 29. Novakovic B, Mirosavljev M. Higijenaishrane [Hygiene nurition]. Novi Sad: Faculty of Medicine, 2002. In Serbian.
• 30. Eaton DK, Kann L, Kinchen S, et al. Youth risk behavior surveillance - United States, 2005. MMWR Surveill Summ. 2006;55(5):1-108.
• 31. Wojtowicz E. Body Mass Index in Female First-Year Students of Full-Time Studies at the Academy of Physical Education and Sport in Gdansk: Reality, Self-Evaluation, Dreams. BJHPA. 2011;3(1):44-54.

Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/bjha-2014-0016