Determination of physical activity levels of obese individuals

It is important to determine the level of physical activity in the fight against obesity. In this study, we aimed to determine the physical activity levels of obese individuals with different methods. The study consisted of 30 women (X=32.9±7.3 years) and 16 male X=36.4±8.4 years) a total of 46 obese (BMI: X=female: 37.6±6.6 kg/m2, male: 34.2±4.3 kg/m2; body fat percentage: 40.9% and 35.4%) volunteer individuals were included. Information form was prepared for obese individuals applying to Health Institution and body composition measurements were performed with Tanita BC-1000 and physical activity measurement was performed with International Physical Activity Survey - Short Form (IPAQ-SF) and Sense Wear Armband (SWA; BodyMedia, USA) method. For statistical analysis, Shapiro Wilk, Mann Whitney-U, Kruskal Wallis, Chi-square, Fisher Exact Test and Spearman's Rho Correlation were used and the significant level was p <0.05. The median values of the number of steps of the participants were 9323 step/day (respectively in women and men: 8796; 9540 step/day), MET levels were 1.3 MET/day (respectively in women and men: 1.3; 1.4 MET/day). When the activity level of the participants was evaluated according to the number of steps, 32.6% (n=15) were "sedantary/low active" and 67.4% (n=31) were "moderate / high active"; According to the IPAQ questionnaire, 19.6% (n=9) were "low active" and 80.4% (n=37) were "moderate / high active (p>0.05). There was no significant relationship between IPAQ-MET scores and number of steps (r=0.188; p>0.05). Compared with SWA, the survey predicted a high estimate of 21.7% and a low estimate of 8.7% (p>0.05). As a result, using both subjective and objective measuring instruments in physical activity measurement and the IPAQ measurement method estimates the FA level high can be important in eliminating the limitations of both measuring instruments. In addition, although obese individuals are in the "light active" category as the number of steps, MET levels are low, indicating the importance of exercise intensity in the fight against obesity. Key Words: IPAQ, Obese, Physical Activity, SWA