Comparing the level of physical activity among Obese and Normal BMI females in Chennai
using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) – A Case Control Study

Kiruthika S¹,
Sathya P²,

¹Final Year Postgraduate,
²Director & Professor,
Institute of Physiology and Experimental Medicine,
Madras Medical College,
Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

Abstract
  • Background: Recently, it has been shown that sedentary behavior poses a significant risk for cardiometabolic disorders. Numerous studies have demonstrated the link between sedentarism and higher body weight, and consistent exercise can not only improve muscular strength, and aerobic capacity, muscle mass, flexibility, decrease in body fat, and but also reductions in blood pressure, anxiety, and stress levels. The purpose of the study was to understand the level of physical activity engaged by obese and normal BMI females on a daily basis since women have better tendency to get fat deposition than males and also women have lack of knowledge regarding physical activity.
  • Aim: The aim of this study is to assess the physical activity among obese and normal BMI females by using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ).
  • Materials and Methods: The study was started after obtaining approval from Institutional Scientific and Ethics committee. The study was conducted in OPD at Madras Medical College. Females between 18-50 years were included in the study. The sample included 25 obese females with BMI >30 as cases and 25 non-obese females with BMI between 18.5 to 24.9 as controls based on the BMI classification of WHO. Both the groups were given Long last 7 days self-administered IPAQ which contains a total of 27 questions enquiring about time spent in physical activity in the last 7 days.
  • Results: To compare the mean of two groups unpaired t-test was used. The mean age, height, weight, and BMI of two groups were compared and the mean age, weight and BMI were significantly higher among cases and the mean height was significantly higher among the controls. The association between physical activity and obesity in this study was found by using Fisher exact chi square test. It showed a significant p value of 0.0001, as the number of females involved in health enhancing physical activity i.e., at least 1.5- 2 hours of being active throughout the day, was less among obese females.
  • Conclusion: This study seeks to highlight the lack of physical activity among the majority of the female population in the reproductive age range by classifying the amount of physical activity these women engage in a regular basis.

Keywords: BMI, females, physical activity