Study of body mass index in physically active young people

BACKGROUND: One of the indicators for assessing the state of human health is the body mass index. But this indicator does not give an objective picture, for example, it does not reflect the features of a person's physique. To assess the type of obesity, the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference is used. This can lead to an incorrect assessment of the nutritional status, and, accordingly, incorrect recommendations for the prevention of non-communicable human diseases.

АIMS: To evaluate the indicators: body mass index and the ratio of waist circumference to hips, the results were compared with the data of a bioimpedance study.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: 154 people of different physical fitness were examined (105 people are athletes, 49 are not engaged in sports). All the surveyed are men, from 15 to 25 years old. The results were obtained for the following indicators: body mass index, waist-to-hip ratio, bioimpedance study (assessment of fat mass, lean mass, active cell mass, dry muscle mass, total, extracellular and intracellular water).

RESULTS: Тhe body mass index significantly correlates with such indicators as fat mass, lean mass, dry muscle mass, as well as the water content in the body. The correlation relationship with fat mass is positive, with other indicators ― negative. There is no reliable correlation with the active cell mass. The ratio of waist circumference to hips had a reliable relationship with all the indicators we evaluated. A negative correlation was noted with the fat mass, and a positive correlation was observed for the rest of the indicators.

In people who are actively engaged in sports, the relationship between the body mass index and the content of adipose tissue in the body is more pronounced.

The body mass index and the ratio of waist circumference to hip circumference in athletes are more correlated with the data of the bioimpedance study.

A reliable relationship between the body mass index and the ratio of the waist circumference to the hips has not been established. Thus, it is necessary to conclude that when assessing the state of the body, it is necessary to take into account both indicators. None of these parameters can be used to determine the risks of developing non-communicable diseases.

CONCLUSION: Body mass index indicators, as well as the ratio of waist circumference to hips, significantly correlate with the results of bioimpedance examination, with the exception of active cell mass.

It is advisable to use the body mass index and the ratio of waist circumference to hips as one of the simplest ways to determine risk groups for the development of non-communicable diseases during a mass screening study.