International Journal of Biomedical And Advance Research
ISSN: 2229-3809 (Online)
Journal DOI:10.7439/ijbar
CODEN:IJBABN
Research Article
Gender difference in MET score and waist to hip ratio in young adults
Jayshree S Kharche*, Pranita Ashok, Robin G Raju and B Balsubramanian
Department of Physiology. Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune. India.
*Correspondence Info:
Dr. Jayshree S Kharche
Assistant Professor,
Department of Physiology.
Bharati Vidyapeeth Deemed University Medical College, Pune. India.
E-mail: [email protected]
Abstract
Objectives: As per WHO, physical inactivity is one of the major risk factors for non communicable diseases. Physical activity can be easi ly
and conveniently measured in terms of Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) score. Present study was undertaken to observe gender differences
in physical activity of young adults and to correlate it with waist to hip ratio.
Methods: It was a cross sectional observational study including 224(94 males and 130 females) medical students aged between 18-25 years.
In all participants MET score was calculated using IPAQ and WHR was measured.
Results: It was observed that more males were more physically active than females. Also, males show statistically sig nificant higher MET
score than females (< 0.0001). WHR was negatively correlated with MET in both males and females though it was not statistical ly
significant.
Conclusion: It was observed that there exists a statistically significant gender difference in MET score. Hence, in planning strategies to
enhance physical activity gender may be considered.
Keywords: Physical activity, IPAQ, MET score, WHR.
1. Introduction
Physical inactivity has been identified as one of the leading preventable causes of death and inverse linear relationship exists between
volume of physical activity and mortality due to cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, colon and breast cancer and depression 1, 2. Overall, it is
estimated that lack of physical activity causes 1.9 million deaths globally3.
Physical activity can be measured by administering IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire). Metabolic Equivalent Task
(MET) is calculated by IPAQ evaluation which is one of the easiest methods for the recording of intensit y of a physical activity. Waist to hip
ratio (WHR) is a widely used indicator for measurement of central obesity.
Effective promotion of physical activity remains a key strategy in achieving a mass shift in activity levels. This is the nee d of the hour
in young adults in order to become healthy individuals. Observation of gender difference in physical activity may change the pla n of strategy for
promotion of physical activity in young adults.
Therefore, this study was planned to find out gender differences in physical activity status using MET score in young adults and to
correlate it with Waist to hip ratio.
2. Material and Methods
This study was conducted on the medical students studying MBBS course in medical college. It was a cross sectional observational
study. Institutional ethics committee approval was obtained. 224(94 males and 130 females) medical students aged between 18 -25 years took part
in the study.
Detailed history of physical activity was taken using IPAQ (International Physical Activity Questionnaire) so as to find out the type
and quality of physical activity they were engaged in. In IPAQ (short) questionnaire, information was asked about three sp ecific types of
activities such as simple walking, moderate-intensity activities like brisk walk or regular sport and vigorous-intensity activities like jogging or
gym. Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET) was calculated by IPAQ evaluation as follows 4,5:
2.1MET Values and Formula for Computation of MET-minutes/week
1. Walking MET-minutes per week = 3.3x walking minutes x walking days
2. Moderate MET-minutes per week = 4.0 x moderate-intensity activity minutes x moderate days
3. Vigorous MET-minutes per week = 8.0 x vigorous-intensity activity minutes x vigorous-intensity days
4. Total physical activity MET-minutes per week = sum of Walking + Moderate + Vigorous MET minutes per week scores.
After calculation of the total MET score the participants were divided into various categories as follows:
2.2 Categorical score for Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET)
Table 1: Categorical score for Metabolic Equivalent Task (MET)
Category and Score
MET-minutes/week
Category 1 (Low)
<600 MET-minutes/week
Category 2 (Moderate)
≥ 600 to <3000 MET-minutes/week
Category 3 (High)
≥3000 MET-minutes/week
2.3 Anthropometric measure ments
For waist to hip ratio (WHR) 6, waist circumference (in cm) was measured at a point mid-way between the lower rib and iliac crest
with the measuring tape centrally positioned 1cm below the umbilicus. Hip circumference was measured (in cm) over light clothing at the widest
girth of the hip. For waist and hip circumferences readings were made at each site on a horizontal plane without compression of the skin.
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Kharche et al
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Measurements were taken at the end of a normal expiration. WHR was calculated by dividing waist circumference by hip circumfe rence. WHR
of 0.9 was considered normal for males and 0.8 for females.
2.4 Statistical methods
The data analysis was done using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences version 10 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL, USA). For par ameters
recorded mean, standard deviation, t test and correlation coefficient were calculated. p value of ≤0.05 was considered as statistically significant.
3. Results
Table 2: Categorical score for physical activity in male subjects
Male
Fe male
Category and Score
MET-minutes/week
No of Subjects
%
No of Subjects
Category 1(Low)
< 600 MET-minutes/week
13
14
45
Category 2 (Moderate)
≥ 600 MET-minutes/week
60
64
79
%
35
60
≥3000 MET-minutes/week
21
22
6
5
Total subjects
94
100
130
100
Table 2 shows distribution of males & females as per categorical score for IPAQ calculated from MET score.
Table 3: Comparison of MET score in males and female subjects
Males (n=94)
Fe males (n=130)
T value
p value
MET
2054.24 ± 1293.85
1099.02 ± 800.56
6.8088
< 0.0001*
*statistically significant
Table 3 shows statistically significant difference in MET score of males and females. Males have statistically significant higher MET
score than females.
Table 4: WHR & MET score in males &females
Parameter (Mean±SD)
Males (n=94)
Fe males (n=130)
WHR
0.84 ±0.07
0.79 ± 0.06
MET
2054.24 ± 1293.85
1099.02 ± 800.56
r value
-0.2
-0.05
p value
>0.05
>0.05
Table 4 shows that WHR is negatively correlated with MET score in both males and females. But this correlation was not statistically
significant in both the groups.
Category 3 (High)
4. Discussion
Table 2 shows that, males (86%) were more physically active than females (65%). In a study by Tanu Anand et al7 they found the
attitude of the participants toward the physical activity was favourable, yet only one-third (32.3%) subjects adhered to the recommended
guidelines. Boys (39.8%) were found to be significantly more active than girls (20.6%).
Table 3 shows statistically significant difference in MET score of males and females. Similar results were observed by Bengoechea et
al8. Also, results suggest the possibility of differential interventions to increase physical activity based on factors associated with gender. Study
also suggests that females were more concerned than males about safety of walking at night.
Table 4 shows negative correlation between MET score with WHR in males and females. But the correlation was not statistically
significant. Similar results were obtained by Tanu Anand et al7. They did not find significant association of physical activity with waist
circumference or waist to hip ratio.
This may be because young adults are not susceptible to central obesity as they indulge in at least low level activity compared to
middle aged adults who are likely to spend long hour’s sitting9.
5. Conclusion
Study concludes that there is statistically significant difference in physical activity in males and females. Also, WHR shows negative
association with MET though it was not statistically significant.
In planning strategies to promote physical activity gender differences may be considered.
References
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