Body Mass Index and Body Fat Status of Men Involved in Sports,Exercise, and Sedentary Activites
- Author:
Wan Nudri Wan Daud
;
Wan Abdul Manan Wan Muda
;
Mohamed Rusli Abdullah
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
body fat, body mass index, obesity, physical activity, medical sciences
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2009;16(2):21-26
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
A cross-sectional study was carried out in Kota Bharu on three groups of men with ages ranging
from 18 to 44 years. The study groups included 83 athletes representing various types of sports and
levels of participation (athlete group), 80 active men who exercised a minimum of 30 minutes per day
at least 3 times per week (exercise group), and 80 inactive men (sedentary group). The objectives of
the study were to compare the body mass indices (BMIs) and body fat statuses among the three groups
with different physical activity levels. The height and weight of respondents were measured using
the Seca weighing balance with height attachment. Skinfold thickness of biceps, triceps, subscapular
regions, and suprailiac regions of each respondent were measured using Harpenden skinfold calipers.
Percentage body fat was calculated as the sum of the four measurements of skinfold thickness. The
results showed that the mean (± SD) BMIs in the athlete, exercise, and sedentary groups were 22.6 ± 2.9,
23.4 ± 3.5, and 24.3 ± 4.6 kg/m2, respectively. The combined prevalence of pre-obese (BMI 25.029.9)
and obese (BMI ³ 30.0) subjects was 21.7% in the athlete group, 29.9% in the exercise group, and 47.5%
in the sedentary group. The mean (± SD) percentage of body fat in athletes was 15.7 ± 5.4%, which was
lower than in the exercise (18.9 ± 5.5%) and sedentary (20.6 ± 5.8%) groups. The study revealed that
individuals who are actively involved in physical activity, particularly in sport activities, have lower
BMIs and percentage body fat values compared to sedentary people. Therefore, to prevent obesity, all
individuals are encouraged to perform regular physical activity, particularly sports activities.
- Full text:W020151021606739972233.pdf
