Physical activity of young people and their liability to obesity

The aim of this study was to assess the physical activity level of young people and their liability to obesity by means of assessing their BMI, waist and neck circumferences. The participants were (n=194) were aging between the age of 18-25 years; 118 were females (20.61±1.6yrs) and 76 were males (21.56±1.6yrs). Their body mass index (BMI), neck and waist circumferences were measured to assess their obesity status: The International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Long form(IPAQ-Long Form) was used to describe the pattern of their physical activity level. According to their body mass index data, 52.1% (36.8% male; 62% female) were in normal weight, 35.6% were overweight, the 4.6% were obese, 7.7% were underweight; and 52.1% were physically active. The BMI were found higher among female (p=0.01). Their BMI and involving with sports was found negatively related with each other in both gender. Neck circumference was also negatively related with the total physical activity of the participants. The waist and neck circumference were found related with daily total house work (p<0.05). In conclusion, the young individuals were physically active and having low rate of obesity. Waist and neck circumferences are important criteria for both gender. Body mass index may be controlled by both gender not only perfoming daily physical activity but also adapting the behaviours of being active in household activities that this outcome may be searched in relation to cultural and behavioral aspects with multicentered studies.