Relationship between the body mass index and physical activity in university students of the city of Barranquilla in the 2018-2 semester, Universidad del Atlántico

Abstract

Background: In the Colombian context, the figures regarding obesity and being overweight, it represents an alarming public health situation; According to the 3rd National Survey of Nutritional Situation for Colombia (ENSIN), more than 27% of the adult population suffers from being overweighted, while 19% suffer from obesity.
Objective: To establish the relationship between the BMI and the levels of physical activity in a sample of students from the Universidad del Atlántico aged 18 to 25 years old in the 2018-2 semester who were studying  Sports development. Materials and methods: Quantitative design, correlational type and cross-sectional, applied to a sample of 207 students of the Universidad del Atlántico aged between 18 and 25 years (M = 20,5), 52% male (M = 20,7) and 42% female (M = 20.3), who were taken anthropometric measures to determine their body mass index, as well as the application of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). Results: There are considerable differences between the types of BMI associated with obesity and being overweight with respect to low weight and normal, with the former having a greater frequency towards the categories of physical activity sitting and walking; meanwhile, in the low and normal weight, a greater tendency towards the vigorous and moderate category is observed; Regarding the sex-based assessment of BMI types and physical activity categories, no significant statistical differences were observed. Conclusion: Significant problems of malnutrition and physical inactivity were identified in the sample. From these findings arises the need to intensify the actions by the professors of  sports development in order to promote healthlifestyles.