Abdominal obesity and its association with physical inactivity in Panamanian college students

Mini-Oral Presentation C3.3

Authors

  • Luis G. R. Caballero Santo Tomás University
  • Alba L. M. López Santo Tomás University
  • Gonzalo P. Silva Del Istmo University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.777

Keywords:

Abdominal Obesity, Motor Activity, Student, University, Risk

Abstract

Background: Abdominal obesity (AO) is an independent risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Physical inactivity (PI) has been determined by the World Health Organization (WHO) as a risk factor for obesity. Purpose: To assess the association between AO and PI in Panamanian college students. Methods: The sample comprises 374 college students, (263 women, 161 men; median age 20 years) from five different cities of a private university in Panamá. Every participant of the study signed written consent. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire from WHO was utilized to collect data. AO was established as a waist circumference ≥80 cm in women and ≥90 cm in men. U Mann-Whitney and Chi-squared tests were used to compare differences by sex. Descriptive, as well as bivariate and multivariate analysis, were realized using logistic regression models. Results: 33.84% of participants had AO (no statistically significant difference was found by sex). 52.11% of women and 22.36% of men (<0.0001) showed PI. Men reported higher medians of minutes/week in occupational (<0.0001), leisure-time (<0.0001) and transport-related physical activity (<0.0150). After adjusting by gender, age and socioeconomic level, AO was associated with PI (OR: 1.762, IC 95%: 1.O40 – 2.985, p=0.035). Conclusions: Women reported higher levels of PI than men did. Students who evidenced PI were more likely to have AO. It is important to implement strategies to promote physical activity, especially in women, to avoid future cardiovascular risk. Funding: Study founded by Santo Tomás University and Del Istmo University (Project code: 1924011).

Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Caballero, L., López, A., & Silva, G. (2021). Abdominal obesity and its association with physical inactivity in Panamanian college students: Mini-Oral Presentation C3.3. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.777