Physical activity and body composition: what do the national surveys reveal?
Measures of height, body weight, waist and hip girths are available from the Allied Dunbar National Fitness Survey and have been used to explore differences between respondents reporting differing levels of habitual physical activity. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR) and waist-to-height ratio were derived. Physical activity was estimated from a structured interview. The questionnaire permitted a separate estimate of levels of participation in vigorous and moderate intensity activity, as well as total energy expenditure. Each index of body composition was regressed against the measures of physical activity and other lifestyle factors. Relationships between activity and body composition measures were weak with different patterns emerging for men and women. These data suggest that it is doubtful whether changes in body composition brought about by interventions to increase population levels of physical activity will be revealed by measuring BMI. However WHR and waist-to-height ratio indices reflecting the bulk of the intra-abdominal fat stores may prove more informative.
Division of Stroke Medicine, University of Nottingham, UK.
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PH
Fentem
S J
SJ
Mockett
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001823:Body Composition / Q000502:physiology*; D001824:Body Constitution; D001827:Body Height; D001835:Body Weight; D016208:Databases, Factual; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D005082:Physical Exertion / Q000502:physiology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D006113:United Kingdom