Association of the physical activity with leptin blood serum level, body mass indices and obesity in schoolgirls.

Decreased physical activity is undoubtedly significantly associated with obesity. Similarly, the proper hormones secretion, the proper weight and body development. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between body mass composition and leptin concentration in relation to the degree of physical activity expressed in MET-h/week (metabolic equivalent per week). The study included 59 girls, aged 9-16 years (12.55±1.67) and divided into two groups: 1) PA: a physically active group of 29 girls and 2) PI: a group of 30 physically inactive girls. In all, physical activity was assessed using modified questionnaire concerning "activity for adolescents" and expressed in MET-h/week. Serum blood leptin concentrations in fasting girls were determined by RIA. Anthropometric parameters were measured and fatness indices calculated (BMI, SF, WHtR). Body composition (%BF, FM, FFM) was assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis method (BIA). Statistical analysis showed significant differences between groups of PA and PI concerning values of BMI, WHtR, %BF, WC and MET-h/week as well as in leptin concentrations. In both groups of girls negative correlations between physical activity measured in MET and leptin concentrations and in WHtR were observed. The concentration of leptin was directly proportional to the degree of body fat and to the body composition expressed by BMI, WHtR, log SF, WC and %BF, FM and FFM, respectively. Increased physical activity was associated with lower body fat ratios and WHtR, BMI, WC, %BF, but did not affect significantly the changes in the values of log SF, FM and FFM. Higher values of BMI, WHtR and WC can provide not only a greater risk of obesity in general, but also cause excessive accumulation of fat in the central part of the body (abdominal obesity).