Gender Difference in Blood pressure, Blood Sugar, and Cholesterol in Young Adults with Comparable Routine Physical Exertion.
BACKGROUND
Gender differences in the risk of developing non-communicable diseases (NCD) are a matter of debate. The susceptibility of a woman to NCD should be evaluated taking into consideration the social factors that limit the physical activity among women. It will be interesting to note what will happen if women are allowed to take part in physical exercise to the extent of men.


OBJECTIVE
To find out the gender difference in the pattern of the clinical and biochemical indices related to NCD in young adults with comparable daily physical activity.


METHODS
This is an institution-based cross-sectional study and the setting was Lekshmibhai National College for Physical Education (LNCPE), Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.


METHODS
The study participants were students who were regularly involved in more than three hours of physical exercise daily at least for the previous one year. The information on socio-demography, anthropometry, and blood pressure was recorded. Blood samples were taken for laboratory examination.


RESULTS
Out of 150 students registered, 126 (84%) in the age group of 17 to 25 years who fulfilled the eligibility criteria were studied. Fifty-five (43.7%) of them were women. Systolic blood pressure, fasting blood sugar, and low-density lipoprotein were found significantly lower in women. No significant difference was noted in the case of diastolic blood pressure and total cholesterol.


CONCLUSIONS
Gender differences exist for NCD risk factors among young adults with comparable physical activity and physical exertion seems to be more protective for females.
Health Action by People (HAP), Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India ; Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
T S
TS
Anish
Health Action by People (HAP), Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Safraj
S
Shahulhameed
Health Action by People (HAP), Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India ; Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
K
K
Vijayakumar
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Teena Mary
TM
Joy
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
P R
PR
Sreelakshmi
Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, India.
Anu
A
Kuriakose
Gender and NCD; gender difference in blood pressure; gender difference in blood sugar; gender difference in cholesterol