Associations of excess body weight, socio-economic factors and physical activity in the young age population (25–35 years old) in Novosibirsk

Purpose: To study the associations of overweight with the level of physical activity and some socio-economic factors in the young population of Novosibirsk.

Material and methods. A cross-sectional survey of the young population of Novosibirsk was carried out, 697 people (45 % of men) were examined. Overweight was determined at body mass index values ≥25 <30 kg/m2, obesity – ≥30 kg/m2. The waist to height ratio was calculated, the value 0.5 was taken as the cut-off point. Physical activity was determined using the international self-reported physical activity questionnaire over the last 7 days (IPAQ). The screen time (a time spent in front of a TV screen and computer during working and non-working hours for the last 7 days) was estimated. A number of socio-economic factors were studied, such as education (higher, secondary and secondary vocational), marital status (married / extramarital partnership, single / divorced), employment (working, not working).

Results. The prevalence of overweight in men was about twice as high as in women (36.8 % versus 21.0 %, p < 0.05), while obesity was recorded almost the same in both genders. In 53% of men and 62% of women, the frequency of physical activity did not exceed 1 time per month. The average screen time per week was 35.0 hours, without gender differences. The chances of having low physical activity were higher with increasing screen time and waist / height index. Employment also influenced weight and height parameters. In non-working people, BMI, waist circumference and waist to height ratio were significantly lower than in working people. Marital status was associated with the level of physical activity: persons in any family relationships (married / partnership) had a 1.5 times greater risk of low physical activity. Among persons with high education, significantly lower figures for waist circumference and waist / height index were revealed, and screen time was higher. 

Conclusion. cross-sectional survey of the young population of Novosibirsk, associations of overweight indicators with the level of physical activity and some socio-economic factors (education, marital status, employment) were revealed.

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