Anthropometric Measurements of the Upper and Lower Body Balance and Exercise Habit among Female College Students in Some Parts of the Gyeongnam

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine anthropometric parameters and related habits in female college students. Mean age, height, and body weight of the subjects in total (n=212) were 20.7 yrs, 161.8 cm, and 53.5 kg, respectively. Anthropometric parameters were measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. Mean degree of obesity, body mass index (BMI), and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were 98.4%, 20.6 kg/m 2 , and 0.80 respectively. Surprisingly, 63.7% of the subjects showed unbalanced weak upper bodies compared to their lower bodies. Therefore, they were divided into two groups: unbalanced weak upper body group (UU, n=135) and balanced upper body groups (BU, n=77). Bodyweight, degree of obesity, BMI, and WHR in the UU group were significantly lower than those in the BU group. Amounts of body protein, body fat, and body mineral in the UU group were also significantly lower than those of the BU group. Mid-arm muscle circumference of the UU group (18.5±0.8 cm) was significantly lower than those of BU group (20.4±1.2 cm), although mid-arm circumference of the UU group was not significantly different compared to those of the BU group. On a questionnaire on exercise habits, 1.5% of the UU group and 7.8% of the BU group answered that they exercised regularly, and 55.5% of the UU group and 31.2% of the BU group reported that they never exercised (p<0.01). Even in the subjects who exercised, the duration of the exercise was not sufficient because 38.4% of the UU group and 35.8% of the BU group answered that they exercised for less than 30 min. In conclusion, interventions in exercise habits may be needed for female college students who have unbalanced weak upper bodies.

Recognition of Physical Activity between Physical Therapy and Non-Physical Therapy Students: Cross-Sectional Survey

“…1 College students are in early adulthood, which is the healthiest period in their life cycle according to the measured mortality and morbidity, 8 a critical period for establishing healthy lifestyles to prevent adult diseases and promote health in middle age. 9 In addition, the possibility of lifestyle modification is high because the lifestyle in college students has not been established with respect to the health promotion habits compared to adults. 10 An early-established healthy lifestyle in adulthood is continued until middle age, which is effective in preventing cardiovascular diseases and other adult diseases.…”