Correlation between physical activity, body fat and BMI in university students: a cross-sectional study

Introduction and objective: A sedentary lifestyle and obesity are important risk factors in university students. Physical activity is one of the strategies to prevent these health problems. The correlation between physical activity, body fat percentage (% BF) and body mass index (BMI) was determined in university students from Tarapoto, San Martin, Peru. Materials and methods: A non-experimental, cross-sectional and correlational study was carried out. The non-probabilistic sample was made up of 192 students from the faculties of health sciences, business sciences and engineering and architecture of the Universidad Peruana Union (Subsidiary: Tarapoto), San Martin, Peru. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used. Likewise, the evaluation of% BF and BMI was carried out following the protocol of the International Society for the development of kinean-thropometry (ISAK). Results: It was found that there is a statistically significant and indirect correlation between physical activity and body fat percentage (rho=-, 163; p=,024), and physical activity and BMI (rho=-,170; p=,018). Likewise, it was found that there is a statistically significant difference in the percentage of body fat and BMI according to gender (p<,001). However, no difference was found in physical activity according to gender (p=,808). Conclusions: A correlation was found between physical activity with% BF and BMI in university students. These results show the need to promote nutritional education and health promotion programs to improve physical activity and prevent obesity in university students.