Occupation, Physical Fitness and Adiposity Markers among Security Guards and Students of Delhi University

Physical fitness and health are reciprocal to each other and examining adiposity is an important parameter to assess physical fitness. The present study examines the relationship between different adiposity markers and physical fitness based on occupation. A cross sectional sample of 82 security guards (mean age: 36.86 ± 8.72) and 43 students (mean age: 23.4 ± 3.86) of Delhi University were studied. Anthropometric measurements (height, body weight, waist and hip circumference) and socio-demographic characteristics were ascertained. Body composition parameters (body fat percentage, fat mass, fat free mass, muscle mass, total body water, bone mass and visceral fat) were assessed by bioelectric-impedance method using Tanita Body Composition Analyzer (BCA). Harvard step test was performed to test the physical fitness using Rapid Fitness Index. Student’s t test was used to compare the physical fitness and adiposity markers between the security guards and the students. ANOVA was used to categorize the level of physical fitness with adiposity markers amongst the two groups. As RFI scores decreased, mean value of body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, MUAC, fat mass, visceral fat and BMI increased among the security guards showing a trend which indicates that with an increase in adiposity, the tendency to perform physical work decreases. However, no consistent trend as such was observed amongst the students between the RFI categories. Nevertheless, Delhi University students were found to be more physically fit than the security guards that may be attributable to the differences in their leisure time physical activity preferences and occupational workloads besides the underlying genetic, metabolic or dietary influences. Workplace interventions to reduce occupational sitting among the university security guards may boost cardiorespiratory fitness in the long run.

Anthropometric Markers as a Paradigm for Obesity Risk Assessment

Background: Quantification of obesity/adiposity is feasible with different anthropometric characteristics along with the bioelectrical impedance analysis techniques. Recent advancements are now witnessing development of further computations derived from previously established measures to gauge obesity. Objective: Main aim of our study was to evaluate the association of anthropometric determinants of obesity with body compositional adiposity variables, and thus identifying the best marker among them emerging out as the probable predictor for compositional adiposity. Participants and Setting: 550 female participants within the age of 18 to 23 years were enrolled under this study attending graduation course at University of Delhi. Ethical clearance was received from the institutional head. Informed written consent was taken from every participant. Design: All the body measurements were recorded by trained staff using standard techniques. Derived measurements were calculated further. Analysis: Data, hence, gathered was undertaken for descriptive and infer-ential statistical analysis with SPSS 20.0. Variables Measured and Results: WHR over-estimated the count for those at risk compared to waist circumference and WHtR. Skeletal muscle fat associated negatively with all anthropometric adiposity indicators. BMI, BAI, WHtR and waist circumference related closely with all body composition cum obesity markers compared to WHR, CI and ABSI. BAI overrated the risk for fat determining body composition parameters the most followed by BMI. ABSI revealed an underestimated risk for augmenting fat content in body, compared to other markers. Conclusion and Implications: It is difficult to establish with compliance as to which of the measures used in the study could better predict the perils of obesity but it could be ascertained that some of the newly verified anthropometric adiposity indicators could be administered for determining clinical situations after further validation.

Lifestyle Trends and Obesity among College Going Girls of Delhi

Background: Place of food preparation and hence consumption is an important determining factor for diet intake and consequently the risk for development of obesity. Aims: Present study attempts to examine dietary behavior among students attending undergraduate courses at Delhi University so as to assess the prevalence of overweight and obesity status using various dietary and behavioral factors triggering obesity. Methods: 201 females with age ranging from 18 to 22 years were interviewed for different socio-demographic information and parameters relating to lifestyle regime using a standardized proforma. Anthropometric and physiological measurements were taken according to standard techniques. Analysis was done using SPSS 20.0. Results: Family history for obesity and diabetes is noted to be significantly higher among girls taking home-made food. It has been reported that girls taking food prepared at home are more overweight/obese for BMI or at risk for higher waist line and waist height ratio as compared to those taking meals away from home. Conclusion: Universities can perform a crucial role in restraining the prevalence of obesity among young population by assessing college-going students for their weight status and eating practices and counseling them about healthy eating choices and habits.

Familial Background as a Hidden Cause for Obesity among College Going Girls

Background: Rapid changes in global economies and industrialization have resulted in switch from traditional diets and labor intensive life-style to consumption of modern calorierich diets loaded with fat and sugar contents, accompanied with sedentary lifestyle further leading to onset of numerous non-communicable, chronic disorders;obesity being one of them. This study aims at investigating risk posed by family history of obesity over the generations for inducing extreme overweight conditions among adolescent females of Delhi. Methods: Present work is a cross-sectional study conducted in Delhi (India) with sample size of 444 females aged between 18 - 22 years. Socio-demographic aspect along with lifestyle-related profile of participants was assessed using a self-administered proforma. Prior history of obesity among family members, if any, was noted as well, and anthropometric and physiologic measurements were recorded using well established customary techniques. Analysis was carried out in SPSS 20.0. Results: Participants holding a history for obesity in family were comparatively more obese than their counterparts. Positive family history for the same has been found possessing a notably closer association with elevated levels of adiposity determined by various physical and physiological variables. Conclusion: Family history of excessive fatness develops high risk of pathological manifestation for the same in upcoming generations that needs to be administered effectively—at individual or population level, and addressed efficiently by one’s family or by the prevailing governmental provisions.