A Study of Fat Parameters in Sedentary and Non-sedentary Subjects in Davangere, Karnataka

Background: Recent studies in adolescents and adults have demonstrated significant relationship between physical inactivity and other adverse health practices, such as consumption of less-healthy foods or increased fat intake. Inactive individuals tend to consume more quantities of dietary fat. These data suggest that inactivity tends to cluster with other health behaviors that have adverse effect on the quantity and location of body fat deposition which results in obesity. A sedentary life style and especially poor cardio-respiratory fitness not only associated with the metabolic syndrome but could also be considered features of the metabolic syndrome. Epidemiological studies have shown an inverse relation between physical activity CHD and atherosclerosis. Approximately 2 million deaths are reported every year attributable to physical inactivity. A combination of improper diet, lack of physical activity and tobacco use is estimated to cause up to 80% of premature coronary heart disease.

Method: 53 healthy sedentary and 42 healthy non-sedentary male subjects were selected randomly from the general population of Davangere city. Weight, Height was taken. BMI was calculated. Fat parameters such as Body Fat Percentage (BF %), Fat Mass (FM), Fat Free Mass (FFM) and Fat Mass Index (FMI) were calculated from the formula.

Results: In our study fat parameters such as BF%, FM were increased. FFM decreased in sedentary subjects when compared to non-sedentary subjects. Physical inactivity causes excess fat accumulation which affects anthropometric and cardiovascular parameters. Although our study is by no means exhaustive, it provides a glimpse into the variety of adaptations/alterations in anthropometric parameters that occurs due to sedentary life style, even in the absence of overt disease.