A Comparative Study of Fat Parameters in Sedentary and Non-sedentary Subjects

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 poor cardio-respiratory fitness not only associated with the metabolic syndrome but could also be considered features of the metabolic syndrome. Many studies have shown an inverse relation between physical activity coronary arterial disease and atherosclerosis. A combination of improper diet, lack of physical activity causes premature coronary heart disease. METHODS: 45 sedentary and 55 non-sedentary healthyfemale 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: 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. Our study provides a glimpse into the variety of adaptations /alterations in anthropometric and fat parameters that occurs due to sedentary life style, even in the absence of overt disease.