The Relationship Between Physical Activity, Obesity and Overweight Among University Going Students of Jamshoro, Sindh

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a current major concern of young adults in Pakistan and it is also a global health issue. According to WHO obesity has increased by 2005-2015 from 1.6 billion and 40 million to 2.3 billion. Increased BMI (body mass index) depends on the amount of time a person spends in a sedentary lifestyle and decrease with increased PA(Physical Activity) without exception of gender. Objectives: The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between physical activity obesity and overweight among university going students and to identify the interrelationship among these three parameters using IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) Methodology: An observational cross sectional survey was conducted using non-probability purposive sampling method at 4 universities situated in Jamshoro, Sindh for a duration of six (06) months. This sample size was 382 and all enrolled students were included except females with known hormonal disorders which were excluded from the study. SPSS version 23 was used to analyze the data in tabular and graphic format. Written informed consent was obtained from all the participants. The study was approved by the ERC of BDMC, Mirpurkhas. Results: Three hundred and Eighty two students participated in this study which consisted of 219 males (57.3%) and 163 females (42.7%) with mean age 22.3 ± 1.8 years. The association of performance of exercise and BMI was significant (p value = 0.02). The BMI of the studied subjects was also significantly associated with number of hours spent sitting. (p value = 0.01). The association of total physical activity with BMI was also found to be significant. (p value = 0.01) Conclusion: this study shows that physical activity is inversely proportional to obesity and overweight, sitting time during work hours and lack of sports and leisure activity, less involvement in home and care activities more time spending in involving in social media playing video games are also can be considered as reasons of an increasing number of overweight and obesity. Keyword: Physical activity, BMI, Sedentary Life Style, Over-weight, Obese