Relationship between Physical Activity and Variables of Body Composition among Saudi Female Medical Students Taking into Account the Body Mass Index

Abstract

Background and Aims: Physical inactivity and the prevalence of overweight/obesity are considered high among Saudi youth. Studying the factors that might be related to physical activity (PA) and finding strategies to promote it are necessary. This study aimed to assess the (PA) levels among medical students with different body mass index (BMI) and determine the relationship between PA and body composition. Methods: Eighty female students with a mean (SD) age of 20.18 (1.14) years were recruited to this comparative study. The body composition and PA levels of the participants were determined using bioelectrical impedance analysis and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire – Short Form (IPAQ-SF), respectively. Results: The study finds a significant but weak negative correlation between total PA score and fat % in the whole sample (P = .05, r = -.21). A Spearman’s rho test detected a moderate negative correlation between total metabolic equivalent (MET)-min/week and fat mass, as well as fat % in both the underweight and normal weight groups. Moderate positive correlations were found between total PA score and BMI, fat-free mass, and total body water in the obese group. Conclusions: There is a significant but weak correlation between the fat % and PA level of the female medical students who participated in this study. Variation among groups in terms of PA confirms that BMI is not an accurate predictor of a person’s PA level.

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