The effect of non-working and working women in various jobs on body fat index

Recent studies report that there happen changes in lean body mass and fat rate as people get older. Subdermal fat layer is more in women than in men. All excess carbohydrates, fat and proteins from what we have eaten are converted into fatty tissue and stored. Fat is one of the basic elements, which must exist to a certain degree in every healthy individual for anatomical and physiological functions (1). It is accepted that there is a biologic threshold as to the minimal amount of fat that must exist in the body. Several researchers report that the health of individual deteriorates when it decreases below this threshold (2). The study was carried out with the subjects from women working in various jobs in official institutions and non working housewives in the centre of Batman. Sample size, the planned measurements were obtained from 209 women working in various jobs and 203 non working housewives at the age of 30-40, by using the sample formula whose population is known. The effect of non-working and working women in various jobs on body fat index, the study of physical and anthropometric characteristic results Table 2. Some meaningful differences (p<0.05) were detected in the measurement averages of subscapular, biceps, triceps, suprailiac, weight, waist and thigh of women working in various jobs and nonworking housewives. The meaningful difference in height variable averages (p>0.05) wasn't detected. The thickness of subdermal fat layer the measurements of which were obtained from subscapular area was measured as 14.0 ± 5.4 mm in women working in various jobs, and 17,4 ± 7,0 mm in non working housewives. The thickness of subdermal fat layer the measurements of which were obtained from biceps area was measured as 10,6 ± 4,1mm in women working in various jobs, and 12,3 ± 4,3mm in non working housewives. The thickness of subdermal fat layer the measurements of which were obtained from triceps area was measured as 18,0 ± 6,4 mm in women working in various jobs, and 20,3 ± 5,9 mm in non working housewives. The thickness of subdermal fat layer the measurements of which were obtained from suprailiac area was measured as 15,0 ± 5,3 mm in women working in various jobs, and 17,0 ± 7,5mm in non working housewives. In conclusion, non working housewives have a higher weight and fat rate, for they move less than those working in various jobs. The fact that women working in various jobs are always on the move and have a higher education level lead to the decrease in their weight and body fat index. Key Words: Body composition, Body fat index, Skinfold, Anthropometric, Working women, Nonworking women